The Burial of the Unicorn
2025
Felted wool wall hanging – wet felting, needle felting, hand embroidery, natural wooden branch

Inspired by Gustave Courbet’s Burial at Ornans, this contemporary fiber artwork gives a monumental funeral not to a nobleman or a king, but to a mythical creature. A row of elongated figures, reminiscent of Orthodox priests or saints, gathers around a dark oval pit where a white unicorn lies. Small red accents echo liturgical garments, wounds and flames.

The work reflects on how one worldview buries another – how belief systems, religions and myths overwrite each other, yet also quietly honour what came before. The unicorn stands for an imagination that no longer “fits” the dominant narrative, but is still granted a solemn farewell. It is both a critique of how we erase other ways of seeing, and a gesture of respect toward the beliefs we lay to rest.

About the Artwork:

♥ – original felted wool wall hanging

♥ – techniques: wet felting, needle felting, hand embroidery

♥ – Size: approx. 124 × 90 × 10 cm (48.8 × 35.4 × 3.9 in) including branch

♥ – colours: off-white, soft greys, black, red accent

♥ – hung on a natural wooden branch, ready to hang

♥ – unique fiber art, handmade in Poland

Care Instructions:

This piece is a one-of-a-kind hand-felted wool wall hanging. Please treat it as textile artwork.

• Indoor use only. Hang in a dry room, away from direct sunlight, moisture and open flames (candles, fireplace, stove).

• Do not wash or dry clean. Wool felting can shrink and distort if it gets wet or is cleaned with chemicals.

• Dusting. From time to time gently shake the piece or dust it with a soft clothes brush. You can also vacuum it on the lowest setting through a layer of clean fabric or mesh.

• Do not pull the fibres. If you notice a loose wool fibre, carefully smooth it back into the surface instead of pulling.

• Natural wooden branch. The hanging stick is an untreated natural branch; avoid contact with water and very humid rooms.

• Storage. When not on display, store the wall hanging flat or loosely rolled in acid-free tissue paper, in a dry place. Adding lavender or cedar blocks will help to protect the wool from moths.

• Small variations and irregular edges are part of the handmade process and the character of the piece.

Note: Colors may slightly vary due to monitor settings.

International Buyers – Important Notice:
Please be aware of your country’s customs regulations. You are responsible for any customs fees, taxes, or import duties that may apply upon receiving your item.

Returns & Refunds
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact me to discuss a resolution. In compliance with EU regulations, I accept returns. However, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

Shipping Information
All orders are shipped from Poland, EU, with Track & Trace included. I aim to ship your order within one week of purchase.

You will receive a shipping notification with a tracking link once your order has been dispatched. Please keep an eye on the delivery status.

Each artwork is securely packaged using recycled bubble wrap and sent in a sturdy mailing box. If an item is returned to me, additional shipping fees will be required to resend the package.