The Cornish Myths & Legends Storytelling Chair is a bespoke commission that brings an entire county's folklore to life in carved solid oak — made for Cornwall Libraries and now living in the newly refurbished garden at Penzance Library.
The commission came from Cerys Tyson at Cornwall Libraries, who wrote asking if we could "design and make a Cornish Myths and Legends Storychair" for a space that was being renewed. She shared a wish list of legends — and we set about fitting as many as possible into the wood. At its heart is the Mermaid of Zennor, the most iconic of Cornish tales, but the chair layers story upon story: Cormoran the Giant of St Michael's Mount, the Lost Land of Lyonesse submerged beneath the sea, the mischievous Cornish Piskies, Joan the Wad (Queen of the Piskies), Tristan and Iseult, the tortured soul of John Tregeagle, and the beloved patron saint St Piran. Winding Celtic knotwork connects the panels, ships and sea creatures fill the spaces between, and at the base, playful characters are hidden among mushrooms and woodland forms — rewards for the children who look carefully.
Made from solid oak in our Mid Wales workshop and finished with three coats of Epifanes matt varnish, the chair is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The solid hand-built joinery holds every carved detail in place through years of outdoor life. After delivery, feedback from Cornwall Libraries described the craftsmanship as "100%" — and the chair quickly became a much-loved focal point in the library garden.
Key Features
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Full Cornish mythology cast — Mermaid of Zennor, Cormoran the Giant, Lyonesse, Cornish Piskies, Joan the Wad, Tristan & Iseult, John Tregeagle, St Piran, all carved by hand
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Branch-like arms rising upward — grounding the chair in the natural Cornish landscape
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Celtic knotwork throughout — connecting the panels in a continuous carved story
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Hidden characters at the base — among mushrooms and woodland forms, inviting children to look closer
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Solid oak construction — a durable hardwood that holds fine detail carving over decades
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Epifanes matt varnish, 3 coats — premium exterior finish that weathers beautifully year after year
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Solid hand-built joinery — crafted in Mid Wales, built for permanent outdoor installation
Your Version
This particular chair lives at Penzance Library — but it shows what is possible. We regularly work with libraries, schools, councils, and community organisations to create fully bespoke chairs rooted in local history, folklore, or personal meaning. Welsh mythology, Norse legends, local wildlife, school crests, place names — if there is a story worth carving, we want to make it.
Commissions at this level of detail start from £1,600 inc. VAT. Lead times vary by complexity; we share design sketches before any carving begins. Prices include VAT. Public bodies and schools can order by purchase order and pay on invoice.
Browse the full range in our storytelling chairs collection or contact us to begin your commission.
