Handcrafted Noah's Ark

Wooden Flowers Frieze Ark — Handcrafted, Painted, and Made for Play

The Flowers Frieze Ark is one of the brightest and most characterful pieces in my Noah’s Ark collection. The design follows the traditional arks I first admired at the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, but with a more modern colour palette that brings out the warmth of the Colombian pine used for the roof and hull. Every surface is painted by hand, and this is the only ark in my range finished with a matt varnish, giving it a soft, tactile feel.

The roof and little house lift off, just as they should, and the set can be built up gradually. As a guide, the ark is priced with ten pairs of animals from the main list, though you’re welcome to choose as many—or as few—as you like. Each animal is carved from lime wood and decorated with non‑toxic paints and varnish. The full ark measures 20″ × 13″ × 7″, and I can inscribe the recipient’s name on request.

I’ve made more than a hundred different animal pairs over the years, from familiar favourites to extinct, exotic, and even mythical creatures. Some families commission their own pets; others ask for bespoke arks based on their homes. Sets can be bought fully painted, like the Flowers Frieze Ark, or unpainted with a beeswax finish for those who prefer a more natural look. Many customers start with the ark itself and add animals month by month, building a collection that grows with their children.

As I often say, the face is where the character lives. The letters I receive from parents—telling me how much their children love these toys—remain the best part of the work.