Well that takes the biscuit

The inspiration for creating art can come from many places and this Mandarin Dragon started with a biscuit tin (see below)! At the end of 2023 we treated ourselves to a tin of stem ginger biscuits from a famous London store. Their design curling around the tin immediately made me think of a dragon and the idea for a new Beaded Beastie was born. This was the first time that I had tried cutting out tin and I wasn’t sure it would work. I hope you will be pleased by the outcome.

The dragon is an ancient Chinese symbol. Although it is a powerful and fearsome beast it is seen as good and represents strength, health and good luck. It is a symbol of the male, the Yang of Yin and Yang. It is also the only mythological creature in the Chinese astrological calendar.

I have named this piece The Mandarin Dragon as a reference to its colour (which sounds much nicer than ordinary orange!) and as a play on words from its Chinese origin. One place where I have taken artistic license is in showing the dragon breathing fire. Unlike the dragons we imagine in Europe, Chinese dragons don’t do that. But it could be a rather impressive tongue if you prefer!

Introducing an insect companion

At the bottom of the frame I have included a cicada (see above), created from a rectangular bead, an amethyst chip, some wire and acetate wings. I first encountered cicadas when I worked in Venezuela many moons ago and must admit that I saw them as rather unattractive.

But the cicada is another creature that has held mythical qualities for centuries. In China it represented purity and virtue as well as symbolising renewal and rebirth. It was regarded in a similar way to the Ancient Egyptians’ view of the Scarab Beetle.

Cicadas can remain dormant in the earth for up to seventeen years before emerging. It sheds its skin and climbs into the treetops where it lives only on the sap. From then its life is rather short, singing continually and mating so that the whole cycle can begin again.

It seems a suitable companion for the dragon.

Above, you can see closer details of the dragon and the features around it including the metallic sheen of the blue pattern on its body (centre).

I can’t pretend that all of my work is inspired by mythology and ancient history but they are topics which fascinate me and certainly do inform some of my pieces.  If you visit my shop you’ll see plenty of other designs that are currently available. Each one would make a special treat for yourself or a unique gift.

Derrick