Llyn Cerrig Bach Plaque | Fine Art Painting

Design

This design remastered by Sean Parry of Sacred Knot Tattoo is taken directly from the Crescent plaque from Llyn Cerrig Bach, Ynys Môn, North Wales.

In Sean's words:

The plaque, around the size of a dinner plate, was found in a bog along with many other items such as cauldrons, swords, spears, chariots and a gang chain. Some of these items were put in the bog lifetimes apart, so it was a long ongoing practice. The plaque was placed in the bog around 2000 years ago and is thought to be part of a chariot. I disagree. I think it was a torque on a wooden statue. I personally can’t think how this would have been mounted on a chariot axis or any other part of the vehicle and would make more sense to be adorning something where the symbol would have been more visible.

Either way, this is a beautiful example of the motif highly present in British La Téne art of this period. Its true meaning is unknown, so we can only speculate as to what it is and means. To me it looks like a bird, and from studying other art of this period, this is the bird in its young state. The curves and repetitive shapes never cease to fascinate me.

I cannot say this symbol is directly connected to the druids for sure...if they even existed, but if they did they would have been highly familiar with this symbol. It could even have been the symbol at the core of their shared belief system, as it shows up across all of Britain and crossed over the tribal borders of the time period.

Material & Make

The artwork you will receive is the original piece. It was hand painted on a cotton canvas stretched over a wooden frame backing. Please know that our images intend to capture the colour to the best of our ability, but can’t always display the exact nuances of texture and tint within the artwork. If you have concerns about this, please try viewing on different monitors to make sure your computer or phone is giving you the best representation.

About The Artist

Sean Parry is the owner and lead artist of Sacred Knot Tattoo, as well as a founding member of the Northern Fire Art Collective. He specialises in Celtic and Nordic arts and lives and works from his hometown of Llandudno in North Wales. Sean’s projects incorporate knotwork, swirls, and beasts inspired and mirroring those found in the historical record - a reflection of his passion for archaeology and ancient iconography. Though he is well known for his mastery as a tattooist, his work with paint, leather, and precious metals are also part of his artistic endeavours.

See more of the art Sean has created for Northern Fire here.

Size & Dimensions

20 by 20cm (8 x 8 inches)