• Maybe I was a monk in a past life - I have always been drawn to illuminated letters.

    I devised this alphabet with the intent that it could be used in a wide range of ways, from mugs to soft furnishings.

    The choice of creatures reflects my boredom with the usual list of animals - Dogs, Cats, Elephants etc. The Aye Ayes and Kakapos deserve their moment in the spotlight too!

    I have also included several mythical beasts, in homage to medieval bestiaries that include the real and imagined side by side with no distinction made: why shouldn’t there be a Monoceros or a Cockatrice alongside the familiar Bears and Wolves?

The Finch Bestiary

  • A is for Aye Aye

  • B is for Bear

  • C is for Chicken

  • D is for Duck

  • E is for Egret

  • F is for Finch

  • G is for Gerbil

  • H is for Hornet

  • I is for Ibex

  • J is for Jaguar

  • K is for Kakapo

  • L is for Lion

  • M is for Muntjak

  • N is for Narwhal

  • O is for Owl

  • P is for Pheonix

  • Q is for Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent god)

  • R is for Rain Frog

  • S is for Scarab

  • T is for Turtle

  • U is for Unicorn

  • V is for Vampire Bat

  • W is for Wyvern

  • X is for Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless Dog)

  • Y is for Yak

  • Z is for Zebrafish

  • Image for space between letters

  • Finch Bestiary Logo

Mug and table runner incorporating the ‘Finch Bestiary’ design