The hellebore leads a double life.

Of all the flowers in the garden, they are one of the more contradictory, not quite what they seem. Awkward.

They flower through winter when most plants are dormant and fade away as the Spring days start to lengthen and more conventional blooms take their place. 

Their exquisite delicateness cannot be denied. But always beware. Beneath the beauty lies venom. For centuries, they have represented resilience, hope for things to come, serenity. But the Victorians in particular saw in them the potential for delirium.

Here, their duality is celebrated, their beauty and serenity contrasting with the delirium of the marvellous, eclectic collection. 

This Wunderkammer, this cabinet of curiosities, has burst out of its cabinet. A swirl of objects, each more fascinating than the last. And the hellebores, dark crimson, pale green, some with frilled petals, others a fading pink, guide our eyes through the exuberant scene.

What do we see?

Urns. With classical scenes, a miniature version of the Warwick vase with Bacchus’ head in profile and marble ones to boot

Engraved medallions

An embossed silver snuff box

Botanical curiosities, a seed pod from a magnolia grandiflora, a skeletonised physalis and leaf

Grapes and blackberries and a container of asparagus and kale.

An ancient wine bottle, some florid baroque door handles and a highly scalloped frame

An incense holder standing on fearsome eagle talons

Swags of red velvet, a shellac beetle and a jaunty lizard, scuttling across the scene.