'Ludlow Hart' Medieval Cathedral Carving

This spectacular carving of a hart, or stag, at rest is taken from a misericord within the choir stalls of St. Laurence’s Church of Ludlow. It is from the central carving on the misericord, flanked by two dogs as the supports. The adult hart is the symbol of Richard II and is one of the most popular misericord carvings in St. Laurence’s Church. The carving dates from the mid-15th century between 1433 and 1470, when work was carried out during a major rebuilding project to the church which saw an extended chancel and the height of the nave increased.

This ornate reproduction is hand-crafted to the highest standards by Oakapple Designs Ltd, a company specialized in reproducing medieval carvings using molds taken directly from original carvings found within the cathedrals and abbeys of the United Kingdom. Each piece is cast in resin and then stained to create a virtually indistinguishable copy. The original Hart carving was made in wood, but it is presented here with a 'stone' finish.