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The Eagle of Gwernabwy.

Legend. -

                                      The Eagle of Gwernabwy.

            One of the five ‘Ancient Animals' in the story of Culhwch and Olwen which, in turn, is one of the stories within the Mabinogion – the collection of Welsh mythological tales, originally circulating orally and then written down in The Red Book of Wales in the 13 th – 14 th century.

            Culhwch fell in love with and wished to marry Olwen, daughter of the giant Yspaddaden Penkawr. However, when Olwen marries then her father dies so he set Culhwch a series of very difficult tasks one of which was to collect from the body of the king of all wild boars – the Twrch Trwyth – the comb and scissors that lie between his ears.

            Culhwch appealed to his Uncle, King Arthur, for help with all these tasks, many of which were successfully completed with assistance from the Knights of the Round Table but when it came to hunting the boar even they ran into trouble and had to seek the help of the famous huntsman Mabon. For a long while he could not be found so advice as to his whereabouts was sought from the five Ancient Animals in turn. Starting with the Ousel of Cilgwri. Each ancient animal, in spite of having lived for centuries and each being successively older than the other, was unable to say where Mabon was being held prisoner. The Eagle of Gwernabwy was the fourth animal to be appealed to who said:

            ‘I have been here for a great space of time, and when I first came hither there was a massive rock here, from the top of which I pecked at the stars every evening; and now the rock is eroded away and not so much as a span high. I do not know the whereabouts of the huntsman Mabon. Go and ask the Salmon of Llyn Llyw.'

            The Salmon did know where Mabon was – in a dungeon in Shrewsbury castle.

            King Arthur and his men rescued Mabon and, eventually all Culhwch's tasks were  completed and he married his Olwen.

Practical details   -

            This is the original wood sculpture. To be cast in bronze would require an up to date quotation which I can obtain but I guess a bronze casting would cost between £3,000 and £6,000. All my bronzes are cast in a series of six.

            67cm high.     48cm wide.    40cm back to front.

            Price for the original wood sculpture - £1,200.

            Delivery anywhere in the U.K by me personally within the week.   To anywhere else please ask for up-to-date details.