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Twin Headed Serpent Bookends

Stephanie Phillips

Twin Headed Serpent Bookends

$850.00 AUD

Inspired by the sinuous curves of snakes and the iconic double-headed serpent of Mexica (Aztec) art, these sculptural bookends create a harmonious, almost symmetrical silhouette. Hand-coiled in clay, each piece is individually formed and carefully weighted to support books. A combination of speckled brown tea dust and white crawl glazes gives the surface a rich, tactile texture reminiscent of scales.

Part of BOOKENDS (2026), an exhibition curated and presented by Pépite Gallery.

Shipping Note: This work will be shipped once the exhibition concludes after November 23rd.

Dimensions (H x W x D)

210mm x 230mm x 75mm (Left)
240mm x 250mm x 85mm (Right)

Materials

Buff Raku Trachyte Clay, Tea Dust Glaze, Layered Crawl Glaze

Origin

NSW, Australia

Specifications

  • One-of-a-kind
  • Handmade

Please choose your pieces carefully as all purchases at pépite are final.

More About This Work

Strangely, while Phillips finds actual snakes viscerally repulsive, she is drawn to them in design. After encountering an image of the famous double-headed Mexica serpent in the British Museum, Phillips was captivated by its graceful curves and striking symmetry. In Aztec culture, serpents carried multiple meanings, including fertility, rebirth and omens. The idea was first explored through small, gold serpent incense holders before evolving into these larger sculptural forms. Constructing the hollow bookends presented a considerable technical challenge, one that Phillips relished.

More About Stephanie Phillips

Stephanie Phillips' work is bold, textural, architectural, and always sculptural. She playfully manipulates negative space in and around each piece, making forms that are abstract and jaunty while monumental at the same time. Texture is vital and is achieved by leaving the fired clay in its natural state or with addition of her meticulously developed, signature sandy glaze. The forms, strong colours and surface texture interact harmoniously. Ideas for new forms might spring from nature but many also come from those who came before her.

She is a lover of design and technique through history and across cultures. Inspiration strikes anywhere from an Ikebana arrangement in Japan, to the marvellous concrete structures of Edward James's Surrealist ""Las Pozas"" rainforest garden in Mexico. In her pursuit of new shapes she will often create forms and then deconstruct them. Her life of creativity was encouraged and inspired by both of her extraordinary grandmothers, one a craftswoman and the other a nature conservationist. Blissful childhood days were spent drawing, painting, exploring the bush or observing the wondrous inhabitants of rock pools. Seedpods, plants and animal horns are some of her many muses and their forms are often suggested in Stephanie's work.

With a background in Visual Merchandising and Set Dressing, she has always worked with her hands and clay has been her main passion for the past decade. Once she learnt coiling, she steered away from the wheel and the notion that pottery should be functional. She has great fun attempting to defy gravity with her deceptively light hand-built pieces. Her largest works are over half a meter tall and she also creates more petite ""mini"" incarnations. Stephanie's work can be found at home and abroad; Jacquemus purchased several of her pieces at Paris Design Week in 2019 for his restaurant, Oursin.

Returns & Exchanges

Unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds, returns or exchanges. All pieces at pépite Gallery are handmade by local creatives and most are on consignment. For this reason, we're unable to offer returns, exchanges or refunds. If you're unsure about a piece feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to provide additional photos or information to help you with your decision. If you have any enquiries in regards to Returns & Exchanges please contact us at hello@pepite.com.au.

Shipping

Complimentary Click & Collect

You can select our free Click & Collect option at checkout if you'd like to collect your order from our Collingwood showroom. Pick-up windows are between Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm - please contact us to confirm a collection day and time.

$15 Standard Shipping for orders within Australia*

Standard Shipping within Australia is sent by Australia Post or Sendle and includes insurance so your parcel is safe! Your order will be fulfilled and dispatched within 2 to 5 business days. Standard shipping generally takes between 2-10 business days for delivery within Australia. If you require your order by a certain date please contact us at hello@pepite.com.au. 

*Except for oversize items, see info below.

Oversize Shipping

For larger or heavy items an oversize shipping rate may apply - this will be calculated at checkout.

Tracking your Order

You will receive a tracking number via Sendle or Australia Post once your order has been fulfilled. Please feel free to contact us if you're having trouble accessing it. 

International Shipping

We ship internationally! Please contact us at hello@pepite.com.au to discuss international shipping options and receive a quote.

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