Hand-Carved Finch on a Log
Hand-Carved Finch on a Log
Genuinely hand-carved from a single block of lime and set on a real bark-on Lakeland log — one of a kind. The last from Gordon's bench, as he steps back to care for his son.
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90-day returns policy
Tracked & insured UK delivery
In stock — limited units, each on its own real Lakeland log
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Carved by hand — and stood on a real Lakeland log
Gordon Athey has carved birds near Keswick for nearly forty years. He carved them, all that time, to fund the care of his son Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy. Every finch is cut from a single block of lime, painted by hand, then set on its own offcut of real Lakeland branch — bark, rings and all — so no two ever stand on the same wood.
Now Gordon's hands and strength are failing. He's moving Michael into residential care and giving up the shed, and there's no one to take the bench on. So this is his final batch. Every bird here was carved and set by his own hands. When they're gone, there are no more.
What makes a hand-carved finch feel so different from the ones in the shops?
- It's actually carved. Most "carved" birds on a log are resin-cast (no grain) — bird and branch poured from one mould. This is cut from a single block of lime, by hand.
- The log is real. Not a moulded plastic branch with a printed bark pattern — an actual offcut of Lakeland wood, with real bark, rings and knots. Knock it: it sounds like wood, because it is.
- You can feel the gouge. Run your thumb up the back — the little flats and ridges are the proof a hand, not a machine, made it.
- One of one. A knife in a hand can't repeat itself, and a real log can't be repeated at all. The tilt of the head and the grain of the base are yours alone.
- Hand-painted finch. The soft brown back, cream breast and pale eyebrow stripe of a real garden finch, brushed on by eye.
- Stands ready, no upkeep. Perched on wire feet on its own log — windowsill, shelf or mantel. No feeding, no watering.
The log is actually real wood
I'd seen the plastic ones in the garden centre and this is nothing like them. You can see the bark and feel the rings — a proper little thing that everyone picks up off the sill.
I expected moulded plastic. It isn't.
Half thought the log would be fake like the rest. It's a real bit of branch, bark and all — no two on the website stood on the same wood. You can tell a person made it.
It means something
Bought it after I read why he carves them. A man carved this to pay for his disabled son's care — my brother does the same, so I know what those years cost. He held it a long while and went quiet.
Lovely in real light
The brown back is soft and the little eyebrow stripe is spot on. Arrived beautifully boxed, log and all, and it's become the first thing visitors notice on the windowsill.
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Questions, answered
Our 90-day promise
If your finch isn't everything you hoped, send it back within 90 days for a full refund. No fuss. (Each is one-of-one — a return simply goes back to find another good home.)
One of the last finches Gordon will carve himself
Carved by hand and stood on a real piece of a Lakeland tree, by a man who carved birds for forty years to look after his son. Never to be repeated.
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