Matters of Life and Death
Egypt says its archaeologists have unearthed a Ptolemic temple in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria dating back more than 2,000 years; which may have been dedicated to the ancient cat-goddess Bastet.
This pet urn is a replica of an ancient canopic jar is sculpted in designer resin and is rich in color and detail.
Bastet keepsake urn is perfect for tiny treasures.
A Phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spirit with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some legends). It has a 500 to 1,000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again.
Inspired by the image of the Phoenix, the Urn Garden artists have created a keepsake urn in the style of body art.
The Rising Phoenix Keepsake Urn is hand painted, industrial molded resin. Magnetic lift off lid. Can be permanently sealed.
Looking to the heavens at night, one cannot help gaze at the endless number of stars. It’s comforting and healing to feel that those stars are somehow a symbol or sign that a loved one is looking back or watching over us. Those stars are also a symbol of divine guidance. A five-pointed star represents the Star of Bethlehem, while a six-pointed star represents creation. Inspired by shooting stars, we’ve put together a collection of star themed urns and memorial ideas.
Because of this belief, shooting star memorial keepsakes are popular options for those looking to find a meaning behind a person’s death. Inspired by the mystical sight of a shooting star, mourners can select from star urn necklaces that are discreet enough to wear for any occasion, yet special enough to have on every day.
Another memorial keepsake along the lines of stars and shooting stars is garden stones. These all-weather stones can pretty enough to put indoors and sturdy enough to place in a garden outdoors. One possible verse that can come with this type of stone is “Perhaps the stars in the sky are loved ones letting us know they are near by guiding us through the night.”
Finally, full-size urns and keepsake urns are also available for your loved one’s cremated remains.
Irish traditions run deep even after loved ones pass away. As cremation becomes a more popular, economical and convenient option for many Irish families, so does having a portion of their loved one’s ashes preserved in a Celtic knot keepsake urn.
For less than $200 one of our customers was able to create an Irish themed keepsake collection for their loved one.
Our metal Celtic keepsake urns are sculpted and cast using the ancient lost wax method, then hand painted and trimmed in Celtic knots and brilliant Austrian crystals, which some believe have a power of their own.
Perhaps one of the most notable symbols in Celtic history, they are also called mystic or endless knots. You cannot see a beginning or an end, which symbolizes the endless and timeless nature of a person’s spirit or an uninterrupted life cycle. Celtic knot cremation urns honor one’s Irish heritage by featuring the delicate twists and turns of the knot as well as incorporating other Irish symbols such as shamrocks and various shades of emerald green.
Keepsake urns are mean to hold only a small amount of cremated remains, from as little as one cubic inch on up. Some families divide a loved one’s remains into several keepsake urns for kin to take home. They can also be used as a keepsake memorial after the remaining ashes are buried or scattered.
Celtic knot keepsake urns are beautiful enough to display in a designated location in one’s home or can be placed away safely in a memory box or hope chest.
Many of the styles shown here are smaller, if a full size adult urn is needed, one of our most popular styles is the Celtic Cross that can accomodate engraving names and dates if desired.
Miss Heather, of NYC gave us a garden tour of some of the memorials spotted lately in her Greenpoint neighborhood.
But first, a brief history moment.
Early Colonization of Greenpoint:
Greenpoint was originally inhabited by Keskachauge Indians, a sub-tribe of the Lenape. Contemporary accounts describe it as remarkably verdant and beautiful, with Jack pine and oak forest, meadows, fresh water creeks and briny marshes. Water fowl and fish were abundant.
Flash forward to our first projects: Airbrush memorials for Luis* and Malo:
Smaller and more subtle examples include this memorial to Alexander McQueen on the B62 bus stop.
*update: Tribute to Luis located in Bushwick. Not Greenpoint.