Kingfisher Placemats

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Indulge in the harmonious blend of art and utility with our Kingfisher Bird Placemats, a unique masterpiece inspired by the 18th Century watercolour painter, Peter Paillou. More than a simple placemat, this product is a canvas showcasing the delicate charm of a pair of Kingfishers, immortalized by Paillou's skilful brushstrokes. The visual elegance of this historical reproduction accentuates your table's setting. Its vibrant hues and intricate details offer a sublime visual experience, while its high-quality construction ensures protection of your surfaces. Experience a touch of nature's beauty, coupled with the sophistication of the 18th Century art, right at your dining table with our Kingfisher table mats.

Kingfisher Placemats

Turn your meals into a sensory experience as you immerse yourself in the beauty of the bygone era with our stunning, bird art-inspired Kingfisher Placemats. They are not just placemats - they are a statement, a conversation starter, and a tasteful reflection of your love for art and history.

Our Kingfisher placemats feature a beautiful, 18th Century watercolour painting of a Kingfisher by renowned watercolourist, Peter Paillou (c.1720 - c.1790), painted in fabulous detail and displaying the style of the period. Lovingly reproduced using dye-sublimation technology, the artwork on each placemat serves as a mini art exhibit right on your table. The high-quality gloss finish enhances the vibrancy of the image and adds a sophisticated touch to your dining experience, also making it a breeze to clean the placemats with a simple wipe of a damp cloth.

These placemats are crafted from medium-density fibreboard (MDF), a material that’s lauded for its resistance to cracking, peeling, and warping. It assures a perfect balance between lightweight design and remarkable durability. The base of each Kingfisher placemat boasts a protective cork backing, which not only prevents slips and spills, but also protects your precious furniture surfaces from scratches and heat or cold damage. No more worrying about those hot dishes and messy spills! Our Kingfisher placemats are simple perfection, adding practicality to your meals without sacrificing style.

Your table setting should reflect your personality and taste. The exquisite artwork and quality of these Kingfisher placemats make them the perfect choice for those who appreciate the unique blend of art, history, and function. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a meal at home, our bird placemats are designed to impress and inspire.

Kingfisher Placemats - where history, art, and practicality come together to create a masterpiece that’s just as unique as you are. Don’t just serve a meal. Create an experience!

Kingfisher Placemats Specifications

The Kingfisher Placemats are made from 4mm thick medium-density fibreboard with a protective cork base to help protect your surfaces. The top surface of the placemats is printed with the reproduction of the Kingfisher watercolour painting by Peter Paillou, which is sealed with a gloss finish, which protects the artwork and keeps it vibrant and fresh.

The Kingfisher Placemats are created using a dye sublimation print process, which gives each placemat a crisp and vibrant image of the Kingfisher.

The placemats are available in sets of two, four of six mats.

  1. Available in sets of 2, 4 or 6 placemats.
  2. Dimensions: 11in x 8in (28.5cm x 20cm).
  3. Materials: Cork and wood.
  4. Rounded corners.
  5. Superb print quality and vibrancy.
  6. Protective cork backing.

The Taylor White Collection's 18th Century Watercolour Painting of The Kingfisher

Our Kingfisher fine art print comes from the original collection of Taylor White F.R.S. (1701-1772). In the mid-18th Century, White commissioned the celebrated wildlife painter, Peter Paillou (c.1720 - c.1790) to paint a number of specimens for his collection. The watercolour painting of the Kingfisher was one of these masterpieces, which emerged from the collaboration between White and Paillou.

The original watercolour of the Kingfisher is extremely finely painted, with incredible detail, allowing you to see the Kingfisher's plumage and features in stunning clarity. This depth of colour and detail has been captured brilliantly through the digitalisation process and is replicated for you on this delightful fine art print, which is now available for your home or office décor, or to buy as a thoughtful gift for your friends and family.

Taylor White, a barrister by profession and landowner on the Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire border, was a keen naturalist and collector. He commissioned over 900 paintings of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish from the finest painters of his day. He was a governor and the founding Treasurer of The Foundling Hospital in London, as well as being a Fellow of The Royal Society. He was extremely well-connected in Society, which enabled him to create such a world-class collections of specimen and thus paintings. White's father in-law was Major-General John Armstrong, who as Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, Chief Royal Engineer and Quartermaster-General to the Forces, has his offices in The Tower of London. Consequently, Taylor White had access to the birds and beasts of The Royal Menagerie at the Tower. He also was able to borrow specimen from The British Museum. Some rarer and more exotic specimens were brought back from their great travels across the globe by his Royal Society friends, the naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, Bt. and the famous clockmaker, John Harrison.

The Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher (Scientific name: Alcedo atthis) is a small yet striking bird known for its vibrant blues and oranges that adorn its feathers. Native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and the Middle East, these birds can typically be found inhabiting freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, and streams, where their main food source, fish, is abundant. This remarkable bird not only captivates with its appearance but also intrigues with its unique habits and behaviours.

Measuring around 16-19 cm in length, with a wingspan of 25-30 cm, the male Kingfisher boasts a brilliant azure-blue back and head, while the female displays a greenish-blue hue. Both sexes exhibit a bright orange underbelly. When it comes to hunting, the Kingfisher is an expert, feeding mainly on small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. They perch on branches near the water's edge, patiently waiting for their prey. Once they spot a target, they dive headfirst into the water, capturing the prey in their sharp, dagger-like bill.

Kingfishers are known to excavate tunnels in riverbanks to create their nesting burrows. The breeding season typically occurs between March and August, during which time the female lays 5-7 eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for approximately 19-21 days before the chicks hatch. The Kingfisher is a majestic bird, which, if you have the privilege of seeing one, is a sight never to be forgotten.

Production & Delivery

From the point of order, the production of your Kingfisher Placemats will take 5-7 working days. It will then be despatched via a tracked postal service, carefully packaged for safe delivery to you around 48 hours later.

Credit: Taylor White Collection, Rare Books & Special Collections, McGill University Library.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Kingfisher Placemats