The Holy Grail?...... not exactly, but it is the Bishop's Chalice. This is the latest piece in the series of commissions of items made of yew from the churchyard of the Church of Saint Melangell
http://www.st-melangell.org.uk/English/Church/stmelangellchurch.htm, in Powys. The yew trees are the subject of a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) due to their very considerable age and stature, so they cannot be trimmed without official authority. However, I've been given a few wheel-barrow loads of seasoned timber from storm-fall damage following a storm in 2013.
To date, there have been 5 chalices, about a dozen bowls and now a load of small items, like key rings and crosses, for sale to pilgrims. This piece, however, has been commissioned as a presentation to the Bishop of St Asaph. I've cut and polished three cabochons of slate from the derelict priest-house roof, and these three pieces represent the Holy Trinity, but to the front of the chalice I've mounted a cabochon of ruby zoisite, chosen for its two colours; purple for the Bishop's robes and also dark green, reflecting a colour used in many of the Bishop's vestments. All four stones are set into yew cushion-mounts.
Before any doubters jump on the band-wagon.....this is NOT a functional piece and all concerned are fully aware that this series of chalices is being made for purely ornamental use.
