Products

For all our experience in historical reproductions over a wide range, we are constantly faced with the challenge of making something we've never tackled before. There's nothing we love more!

We start where the original craftsman started, with native woods, bone, antler, iron or bronze, leather, natural fibres and dyes. Where possible, we use primary sources such as museum exhibits, contemporary texts, illustrations and descriptions. If required, we will produce an article of clothing or an artefact entirely by hand, using the original materials, methods and tools.

We have a special love of Irish historical items and work closely with the National Museum in Dublin, the Ulster Museum in Belfast and other museums, archaeologists and historians around the country and overseas. However, we do make products from and for all lands and time periods. Here are a few of the items from our portfolio; we can show you more on request. Everything is possible!

*Prices are quoted in euros; US$ prices are available on request and vary according to exchange rate. Value Added Tax (VAT) at 21% applies to all orders within the EU. There is no VAT  payable on US orders. Postage and packaging extra.

CLOTHING
All of our clothing is individually designed, cut from linen, wool, silk (whichever is suitable to the time period), and dyed in colours and shades that are matched to historical references. We pattern garments on original finds or contemporary illustrations, and trim and finishing is hand sewn. By special commission work can be entirely hand spun and woven, naturally dyed and hand-stitched. Obviously, this involves more time and labour and carries a higher price. All clothing is robustly made for everyday wear.

BRONZES
The Navan Brooch, Iron Age c. 1st century BC Found at Navan Fort, Co. Armagh. A fibula-style brooch, originally enamelled, cloak or dress fastener (the original is on the right).

Bronze Age Socketed Axe

Iron Age horse bit, 1st-2nd century AD
Irish snaffle bit, bronze with red enamel, can be made up with bridle. These work very well, I use them regularly with both horses and ponies, the high copper content making a very nice wet mouth and high bit acceptance. The three-link design is still in use today as the French link snaffle, especially useful for sensitive or difficult mouths. The Iron Age Celts used these bits to drive chariot horses at full tilt, stop and turn on a sixpence, so they must have been some horsemen (original on right).

Iron Age bucket handle, c. 1st century BC
Found in England at Felmersham, Bedfordshire, this is one of a charming pair of cows heads forming the handle loops on a wooden bucket, perhaps a milk pail. The originals differ slightly; one cow licks her nose, as here in our reproduction, the other does not (original on right).

Zoomorphic penannular brooch, c. 5th century AD
One of the type C5 enamelled brooches found at Clogher, Co. Tyrone. Our version is based on this form, which was influenced by late Romano-British designs (original on right).

Bronze Age "Bishopsland" phase small looped axe or scraper
Based on one found in a hoard of bronze objects at Ballinderry, Co. Westmeath (original on right).

Bronze Age spear heads, 1,000-500 BC
Based on the Tattenamona, Co, Fermanagh bog hoard find. We have duplicated the details of these Middle Bronze Age weapons, comprising a central spearhead with flattened lugs. The one shown here is mounted on the ash shaft with sinew lashing. This is a strong thrusting spear with excellent balance (originals to the right).

A l2th century Norman goes shopping for a new shield! The flat-topped kite shield evolved from the "Bayeux" round topped shield, and was used by the Norman invaders of Ireland in 1169. Ours is a curved, linen-covered birch ply shield.

14th – 15th c. style combat and jousting shields emblazoned with your family arms also available. All shields supplied with correct arm strapping and suitable for fighting.

 

Shoes, circa 13th-14th century
A design based on Medieval originals from Dublin in finds exhibited in the National Museum, and on similar examples in the Museum of London. We have a complete range of hand-stitched reproduction men's, women's and children's footwear from all time periods (original drawing to right).

*NEW! Machine stitched shoes and riding boots

Belts and buckles based on 13th-14th century originals in the Museum of London (originals to the right).

Weapons: Swords are all based on originals – available with various hand grips and sized to suit the bearer.

Made from EN45 spring steel or “Hardox” Swedish steel and can be supplied with a rolled “fight-safe” edge, butter knife sharp edge, or “live” edge.

Scabbards also available for all swords and daggers.

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