Salmon of Knowledge

The legend of the Salmon of Knowledge is about a fabled salmon who ate nine hazelnuts from nine hazel trees that had fallen into the well of wisdom. The salmon gained all the knowledge of the world, and it was believed that whoever ate the fish would then gain this knowledge.

Finegas, the poet, tried to catch the fish, and was finally successful after seven years. He instructed his servant to cook it, but under no circumstance, he should not to eat the fish. Fionn, the servant, cooked the fish but burned his fingers while turning the fish. As he sucked his thumb to alleviate the pain, all the knowledge of the world passed onto him. From then on, Fionn just had to bite his finger to access knowledge. He went on to become the leader of the ” Fianna” the famed Heroes of Ireland.

This carving depicts Salmons to tell of the legend, swimming in a sea of Celtic knotwork.

Beautifully crafted one at a time, every step of the carving and painting process is done by hand with great attention to detail. As a finishing touch a French paste wax is buffed into the finish until a rich luster is obtained.