Award - WINNER!! Best Independent Retailer 2011The Green Man seems to have always been with us! Most often depicted in the form of a full-faced head with leaves and tendrils growing from his features and hair. Sometimes he has antlers, on other occasions, foliage spews from his mouth. One of the earliest known examples of this type of foliate face is carved on a tomb in France circa 400 AD. However, foliate heads appear in art stemming from the mythology of antiquity - the Roman god of the woodlands (Silvanus) and the Greek god of wine making (Dionysus), similarly, the ancient Celtic horned god of the hunt (Cernunnos) - depicted not only with stag antlers but leafed hair. The most famous example of the latter appearing on the Gundestrup Cauldron, Denmark circa 100 BC. In Medieval and later periods, thousands of Green Men were carved and painted in most churches and other buildings of importance, for example, 70 depictions alone in Chatres Cathedral, France, and can be found in nearly all old English High Streets, especially cathedral towns. Representations of the Green Man were used in borders and decorations of bibles and other Christian religious works and he is even carved, under the instruction of Michelangelo, on the tomb of Pope Julius II in Rome!
The Green Man at the Custard Factory, Birmingham (sculptor Tawny Gray) - Photograph by 'Valiantis' 2006
There is a myth their inclusion in places of Christian worship was to symbolise the devil, designed to frighten people away from wrong doing. However, this cannot be correct as; unlike Gargoyles and Grotesques carved for just that purpose, the features of the Green Man appear friendly and are situated in places where a fiendish effigy would be innapropriate. Other suggestions are that craftsmen included this Pagan figure without the knowledge of the church who commissioned the work, almost as a joke - however, this cannot be the case due to the sheer proliferation of Green Man carvings - proving they were there by original intent of the designer. The most likely reason for their inclusion is the method of conversion applied from the 'Old Religion' to Christianity. Wisely, the church incorporated many aspects of the Old Religion into the new Christian symbolism, wherever possible: Christian feast days were changed to coincide with Pagan festival days - Christmas at the Winter Solstice; St Bridget's Day at Imbolc; Easter derived from the ancient Spring Goddess, Eostre; and Samhain, the start of the Celtic year became All Souls. Alongside the obvious advantages for Christianity, the pragmatic decision to retain the old agricultural partition of the year allowed a continuation of the known times for sowing, reaping and harvesting etc. There are, of course, so many more 'cross over' examples of dual symbolism with a shared mystic understanding. So, for many years, the new Christian and old Pagan (comes from the Latin meaning 'of the land') religions coexisted. It was not much later that Christian theologians declared the antlers of Cernunnos to be the devil's horns and the Green Man image, previously regarded as one of many gods, became a symbol of the spirit of nature within the total creation of one god. However, the potency of the Green Man could not be subsumed nor dimished - he continued to appear throughout medieval literature and into the current day, where he is most often seen adorning pub signs or on sweetcorn cans as the 'jolly green giant'! His association with regeneration, rebirth and the abundant gifts of nature cannot be dimmed - long may he reign in the human psyche!
The Green Man & Goddess, May Day Demo 2011 - photo by Debbie Harding, White Witch
Autumn Equinox - Green Man
With its fine detailing, bronze-effect finish and accents of muted colour, this 5 1/2" plaque is a wonderful evocation of the Autumn Equinox.
Autumn Horned Green Man
Beltane - Green Man
With its fine detailing, bronze-effect finish and accents of muted colour, this 5 1/2" plaque is a wonderful evocation of Beltane.
Beltane Horned Green Man
Gothic Green Man
7" x 6 1/2" this is a most striking Green Man with a gothic feel and excellent detailing. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Green Lady
5" H x 5" W, with a 'sunburst' of foliage surrounding her serene face, this is a lovely example of the Green Lady Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Green Man (1)
8 1/2" H x 9" W, this is a fabulous Green Man, decorated with a mix of oak and beech leaves with excellent detailing. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Green Man Autumn Box
3 1/4" diameter, this gorgeous little box in 'bronzed' resin is sumptuously decorated in golden acorns and green oak leaves, depicting a wonderful Green Man centre lid. A lovely little item!
Green Man Box
5 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 1 3/4" this lovely resin box depicts the foliate face of the Green Man surrounded by decorative intertwined branches on the lid and complemented with entwined leaves and branches on the sides. A lovely item for all your trinkets and treasures.
Green Man Clock
A really lovely and novel idea! This fabulous 10" tall clock contains many faces of the Green Man emerging from abundant foliage. Designed to attract moss and lichen when kept outside, (but as battery operated, we suggest keeping away from the harsher elements!). He just gets better and better with the passing seasons! Something different for that lover of Green Men!
Green Man in the Oak
7" W x 3 1/2" H, this lovely, smiling Green Man peers through a riot of oak leaves. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Green Man in the Rafters
4 1/2" H x 4" W, this is a classic depiction of the Green Man with excellent detailing. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Green Man Midsummer Box
3 1/4" diameter, this gorgeous little box in 'bronzed' resin is sumptuously decorated in red summer daisies and green foliage, depicting a wonderful Green Man centre lid. A lovely little item!
Green Man Sconce
Green Man Sconce/Candle Holder. Loop hook in back. Suitable for gems or small candles. Approx 17cm. Made from frost proof stone and designed to attract moss and lichen when kept outside, he just gets better and better with the passing seasons!
Green Man Tree Casket
Green Man Winter Box
3 1/4" diameter, this gorgeous little box in 'bronzed' resin is sumptuously decorated in russet berries, pine cones and green foliage, depicting a wonderful Green Man centre lid. A lovely little item!
Guardian Green Man
7" H x 5 3/4" W, this Green Man oozes character! A really powerful depiction with superb detailing. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Hand-Made Green Man
This gorgeous, hand-made plaque is bursting full of charm. 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" this wonderful depiction has lovely detailing of moss, lichen, ivy, ferns, acorns and acorn cups, all constructing the gnarled expression of the Green Man. lovely item to give, or merely to keep for yourself!
Harvest Green Man
This lovely example of the Green Man features leaves and nuts from harvest time. A robust 14" tall, made from frost proof stone and designed to attract moss and lichen when kept outside, he just gets better and better with the passing seasons!
Laughing Oak Green Man
ONE ONLY REMAINING!
11" x 11", full of character and intent on mischief, this wonderful depiction of the Green Man is made from frost proof stone, designed to attract moss and lichen when kept outside, he just gets better and better with the passing seasons!
Long Celtic Green Man
10" H x 5" W, a fabulous Green Man with a riot of entwined leaves and hair - very striking! Excellent detailing throughout. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Midsummer - Green Man
With its fine detailing, bronze-effect finish and accents of muted colour, this 5 1/2" plaque is a wonderful evocation of Midsummer.
Midsummer Horned Green Man
Oak Leaf Green Man
9 1/2" H x 8" W, a really unusual 'modern' take on the Green Man. A most attractive addition to any household! Excellent detailing throughout. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Pagan Green Man
8 1/2" diameter a fabulous depiction of the Green Man, with fine detailing of oak leaves and acorns, individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Slim Green Man
A charming example of the Green Man with aqualine nose and rather noble expression! Made from frost proof stone and designed to attract moss and lichen when kept outside, he just gets better and better with the passing seasons!
Square Green Man (1)
5" x 5", this lovely Green Man has a classic, almost 'Romanesque' feel. A most attractive design with fine detailing. Individually hand-painted and varnished, comes complete with hook ready to hang. Perfect for inside or out.
Square Green Man (2)
This mischievous example of the Green Man features lovely facial detailing. A chunky 12"x 12", made from frost proof stone and designed to attract moss and lichen when kept outside, he just gets better and better with the passing seasons!
Winter - Green Man
With its fine detailing, bronze-effect finish and accents of muted colour, this 5 1/2" plaque is a wonderful evocation of Winter.
Winter Horned Green Man