In Celtic mythology, these waterbirds represent the place between earth and another world, beyond our here and now. Iona itself is long considered the island that will remain above the sea when others do not.
Iona green stone is long said to give safe passage over water, and here they are shaped like tears, for the legend of the white horse of Iona that shed tears when embraced by St Columba on the night he ascended to heaven.
As these designs for Celtic torc, pendant and earrings unfolded, Maeve discussed the concept with her father - Celtic and Scottish Gaelic scholar Professor William Gillies - who observed these designs were becoming a depiction of the sacred cycle of Iona life itself - 'where mere mortals can catch a glimpse of the divine', with no end and no beginning, in true Celtic style. William summarised the meaning and concept with pure and simple Gaelic grace - 'These are the Wonders of Columba, Feartan Chaluim Cille' - and the collection was born.
