Latest News
06 July 2011
There has been a new addition to the Easter Island family at Round Wood. We are now offering a model named after the ‘Ahu Tongariki,’ the platform on which this style of head is predominantly found.
Ahus are stone dais that typically face the sea. Over 300 were found on Rapa Nui, at least 100 of which are known to have definitely supported Moai statues.
Ahu Tongariki is the largest on the island. It was swept inland in the last century, but has since been restored. The heads found on Ahu Tongariki typically feature long bodies and wizened arms, as can be seen on our new model!
He stands a whopping 1.5m tall, but like the rest of our Easter Island statues can be handled into position by two or three or people courtesy of an innovative production method. A stone/concrete mix is sculpted around a hollow fibreglass mesh that keeps the weight of the statue down, but still provides a solid feel.
The
Tongariki Easter Island Head costs £360 and be collected or delivered nationwide.
Easter Island Heads, or 'Moai Statues', were carved by the inhabitants of Easter Island from around 1250 AD to commemorate their ancestors. The majority do not feature a ‘body’, such as the
Rano Easter Island statues we supply.
The first European to lay eyes on one of the imposing figures was the Dutch explorer Roggeveen in 1722. When Captain Cook landed just over 50 years later, many had been toppled.
06 July 2011
Our range of garden planters just got even bigger! We are now offering extremely hardwearing Fibrestone planters in a variety of sizes and styles, including jumbo containers, contemporary troughs and faux lead Chelsea boxes.
Fibrestone is an ideal material for the manufacture of planters. It combines the durability of fibreglass, so is strong enough for use in giant models, with a solid, heavy feel, courtesy of the stone powder mixed into the composite.
The result is an authentic, attractive planter that provides years of service at reasonable cost.
Unlike fibreclay, another popular medium we offer, fibrestone will not age greatly, so should be your choice of material if you would prefer your garden planter to maintain a consistent appearance.
The largest model on offer comes in at a whopping 75cm x 75cm x 75cm; perfect for larger plants and trees. Troughs are available up to 100cm and tapered planters up to 92cm. For more information on the available styles, please use the links below.
Fibrestone Chelsea Boxes – Available Sizes: 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 60cm
Black Fibrestone Contemporary Boxes – Available sizes: 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 60cm, 75cm
Black Fibrestone Contemporary Troughs – Available sizes: 73cm, 88cm, 100cm
White Fibrestone Contemporary Boxes – Available sizes: 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 60cm, 75cm
White Fibrestone Contemporary Troughs – Available sizes: 73cm, 88cm, 100cm
Black Fibrestone Tapered Planters - Available sizes: 48cm, 62cm, 92cm
04 March 2010
Five of our
life-size Terracotta Warriors have developed a slight swagger after starring in the first ever episode of CBBC Children’s drama ‘Spirit Warriors’ earlier this year.
After coming through a rigorous audition process, they were selected to appear in a pivotal scene in which they form a gateway through which Bo, the shows main character, her sister and three friends are transported to a parallel ‘spirit world’.
The five, who acquire supernatural powers, are then set on a mission to save the real world by recovering 12 legendary ‘spirit pieces’. The series, which has a strong oriental theme, has been well received by both children and critics.
This is no surprise given the expertise behind it. The fantasy drama was created by up and coming British-born Chinese writer Jo Ho and produced by Nick Pitt, of Silent Witness and Robin Hood fame. The team also included BAFTA award winning executive producer Jon East and leading Production Designer Catrin Meredydd.
Obviously, the warriors also played a vital part in the show’s success and are now hoping to land further acting jobs. Several of their friends, however, are still available for sale at Round Wood!
In addition to these 1.88m infantryman, our range also includes an
officer, a
kneeling counterpart and a
1m half-size model. We also offer a selection of miniature/desktop Terracotta Warrior presentation sets. All have been traditionally crafted by hand to a high specification.
04 March 2010
A competition on the Home Building & Renovating website for one of our cast iron
Hippo Garden Statues recently attracted over 500 entries, highlighting its ever increasing popularity.
Despite only being added to our collection last year, the hand finished statue has already become one of our best sellers. It has proved particular popular with those looking to complement a water feature, with one customer even half submerging their new pet in a lake.
The lucky winner of the competition took delivery of her statue earlier this year during a bout of snow. He can be seen at his new home in Bolton above. “Thank you so much for the quick delivery and obviously for the hippo,” said new owner Nicola. “He certainly brightens up the garden and will definitely be a talking point come BBQ season!”
Let’s hope her new pet is well behaved. Despite their seemingly tranquil mud-dwelling nature, Hippos are actually regarded as the most dangerous animal in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are very aggressive once roused and can charge at up to 30 mph, faster than an Olympic Sprinter.
Our cast iron hippo statue is also available in an
Antique White Finish. Both models retail at £325. Nationwide delivery is an additional £40.
07 January 2010
If you are thinking BIG this New Year, you may want to take a look at our new
Mega Easter Island Heads. The world record breakers stand a whopping 2.05m tall, making them a stand-out garden statue for any property!
We had them recently commissioned following the success of the
1.26m model developed in 2008. At 2.05m, they are not far off double the height of the smallest original Moai statues.
Remarkably, they can still be handled into position, unlike those on Rapa Nui which boast an average weight of 14 tonnes.
This has been achieved through casting and sculpting with a frost-proof, malleable stone and fibreglass composite that allows for a thick layer to be crafted around a hollow mould. This process retains both durability and that solid, authentic feel.
The models are the largest available anywhere in the world on a non-bespoke basis.
The 126cm model, the previous record holder, still remains available, as do the 30cm, 50cm & 80cm. All are available in Basalt Black, White Rock or Granite Grey. Our Mega Easter Island Heads retail at £1150.