Tinners Rabbits or the Three Hares, 11cm High

The Three Hares, or Tinners' Rabbits. c.1300 in Great Britain. This example of the Three Hares carving should perhaps be better called the Three Bunnies, so delightfully cuddly are the carved hares! They are prancing around in their own little patch of clover and the leaves and stylised flowers can be seen between the hares. The carving has a delightfully compact and unified quality with no loose ends or inappropriate detail.  The title "Tinner's Hares" or "Tinner's Rabbits"  was thought to be an association with the tin mining industry. However, the image of the Three Hares extends far wider, with British examples to be found in Chester Cathedral, St Davids Cathedral in Wales and as far north as Yorkshire. In Europe the Three Hares have been found in France and Germany. Probably the earliest example discovered so far appears as a cave painting in China, dating from about AD 600, whilst other ancient images of the Three Hares have been identified in Nepal, Iran and Afghanistan. The earliest known example in the UK dates back to about 1300. 
Size: 4 1/4 Inches (11 cm) high.
Hand crafted in the UK.  Weight: 800 grams