“A hand-crafted steel sculpture of Helm’s Deep from Lord of the Rings. Originally a gaming centerpiece, now a functional heat-tinted fireplace guard.”
Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, this rendition of Helm’s Deep was originally commissioned (demanded!) by my two sons to serve as a backdrop for their Warhammer and Lord of the Rings games. Built during the height of the films' popularity, the piece captures the formidable, unyielding architecture of the Hornburg.
Crafted from heavy-gauge steel, the sculpture features the iconic curved Deeping Wall and the reinforced main gatehouse. To achieve the ancient, weathered appearance of mountain stone, I utilized heat-tinting techniques, allowing deep greys, charred ambers, and iridescent violets to bloom across the metal's surface. Today, the sculpture has transitioned into a functional role within our home, serving as a bespoke fireplace guard. Mounted with twin candleholders atop its towers, the flickering flames reflect off the tempered steel, bringing the legendary fortress to life in the glow of our own hearth.
