Medieval Lion Ornament

Inspired by the famous tapestries housed at the Musée de Cluny this unique ornament highlights a fierce lion found within each tapestry. Better known as The Lady and the Unicorn or La Dame à la licorne, which is the modern name given to this series of six tapestries in a mille-fleurs style from around the 1500s. Five of the tapestries are commonly interpreted as depicting the five senses - taste, hearing, sight, smell, and touch. The final tapestry is more obscure but has been interpreted as representing love or understanding. Each of the tapestries depicts and noble lady with a unicorn and lion and various other animals and flowers.

Designed in the UK, St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke holiday decorations. All of their decorations are handmade, and the time taken to make each one is reflected in their unique quality. For 25 years, St. Nicolas has worked with a small Christian charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community rather than being forced to leave home to work in a factory. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home sewing these ornaments, many of whom have been doing so for over 10 years.

Each St. Nicolas Ornament is made using the traditional method of zardozi embroidery. Zari (meaning gold) embroidery originated in Persia and reached India in the 12th century. It is a highly skilled embroidery technique that traditionally uses gold wires and jewels to embellish courtly robes. Zardozi work is a rare and respected craft, with skills passed down from generation to generation.