The Menagerie Collection – Jewellery Inspired by the Animal Kingdom

At Twelve Silver Trees Jewellery, our Menagerie Collection celebrates the creatures that share our world, each one imbued with its own fascinating history, symbolism, and hidden meaning. From the tiniest mouse to the most majestic bird of prey, animals have long inspired jewellery makers, storytellers, and wearers alike. But beyond their beauty, these designs carry centuries of folklore, curious traditions, and cultural symbolism.

Animals in Jewellery – More Than Decoration

For thousands of years, humans have adorned themselves with animal motifs. Ancient Egyptians, for example, wore scarab beetles not just as ornaments but as powerful amulets of rebirth and protection. In Viking culture, wolves and ravens symbolised both ferocity and wisdom, often worn by warriors who believed the animal’s spirit would lend them its strength. Even in the Georgian and Victorian eras, animals were central to sentimental jewellery – dogs representing loyalty, swallows symbolising safe returns, and snakes entwined as emblems of eternal love.

This long tradition is exactly what inspires our Menagerie Collection – jewellery as storytelling, with each piece offering more than meets the eye.

The Symbolism Behind Some of Our Creatures

• Mice – Often underestimated, the mouse has been seen across cultures as a symbol of resourcefulness, adaptability, and quiet determination. In ancient Indian folklore, the mouse was even the sacred vehicle of Ganesha, the god of wisdom and success.
• Owls – Known as guardians of knowledge, owls appear in Greek mythology as companions to Athena, goddess of wisdom. They are also believed in some Celtic traditions to act as guides to the afterlife, bringing messages from the unseen world.
• Bees – Representing industry, community, and abundance, bees were so highly revered in ancient Rome that honey was once considered a gift of the gods. Napoleon Bonaparte even adopted the bee as his imperial emblem, symbolising immortality and resurrection.
• Frogs – A creature of transformation, fertility, and renewal, frogs were linked to rebirth in Egyptian culture, appearing on protective amulets given to women during childbirth.
• Birds – From doves of peace to swallows symbolising safe journeys, birds in jewellery often embody freedom and hope. In Victorian times, it was common for sailors to wear swallow tattoos or charms, a promise of safe passage across treacherous seas.

Curiosities and Lesser-Known Facts

• In medieval Europe, it was believed that carrying a toadstone (thought to be found inside a toad’s head) could protect against poison – a superstition that led to countless “toadstone” jewels, which were actually fossilised fish teeth.
• Elephants with raised trunks are widely thought to be lucky, but in some Asian traditions, elephants are also believed to bring memory and wisdom – a reminder of their incredible intelligence.
• Ladybirds (ladybugs) were cherished by farmers as good luck charms, believed to protect crops. Jewellery featuring ladybirds became especially popular in the 19th century as a token of prosperity.
• Foxes, often depicted in Japanese netsuke and jewellery, are symbols of cleverness and transformation. The mythical kitsune (fox spirit) was said to grow more tails as it gained wisdom and power.

Why Wear Animal Jewellery?

Choosing a piece from the Menagerie Collection isn’t just about style – it’s about connection. Whether you are drawn to the steadfast loyalty of a dog, the magical resilience of a bee, or the quiet wisdom of an owl, wearing animal-inspired jewellery allows you to carry these qualities with you. It’s personal, symbolic, and deeply rooted in human history.

Discover the Menagerie

Every creature in our Menagerie Collection is lovingly handcrafted, capturing both its beauty and its meaning. Just as animals enrich our world, these designs bring richness, character, and story to your jewellery collection.

✨ At Twelve Silver Trees, we celebrate the meaning behind every piece of jewellery. Our designs draw from folklore, symbolism, and nature’s beauty— whether worn as a personal talisman, a symbolic gift, or simply a wearable celebration of the natural world, find the creature that speaks to your spirit