For more information including how to purchase this item please contact customerservice@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Please note, this item is available for Click & Collect only.

In collaboration with Annie Sloan, this original artwork has been created exclusively for Oxfordshire ArtWeeks, inspired by the Bodleian's medieval bestiary collection.

Not a dragon, not a snake, and not to be confused with the Hydra of Herculean legend; The Hydrus is representative of Christ and is the enemy of the crocodile who represents the devil. This scene depicts the Hydrus and the crocodile in the final stages of a familiar and well-choregraphed struggle. The Hydra’s first move is to wait until the crocodile is sleeping, before entering its gaping mouth and heading to its belly, from which it bursts forth, immediately killing it. This represents Christ’s descent into hell, where he freed imprisoned human souls. The battle between good and evil rages on in this plate which can be enjoyed from any angle, the circularity of the bowl shape signifying the circularity of the battle between Good and Evil, Heaven and Hell. 

These handmade plates are made from red terracotta clay (earthenware), individually thrown and trimmed on a potter's wheel. Loosely based on Delftware 'Blue Dash' chargers from the 17th & 18th centuries. Hand painted by Annie Sloan and fired in an electric kiln to 1080 degrees Celsius. 

This piece is matt glazed.

• Handmade plates made from red terracotta clay (earthenware)
• Individually thrown and trimmed 
• Hand painted with ceramic glazes and signed by Annie Sloan