A TEA cosy valued at $2000 and featuring Tasmanian devil bones stitched into its design is on display at Morpeth's annual teapot exhibition this weekend.
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Made by Tasmanian Tara Badcock, the cosy has been modelled on one of Italy's patron saints, the Blessed Fina (1238-1253).
The bones of a Tasmanian devil were sewn onto to the cosy to symbolise the bones of Saint Fina.
Badcock has exhibited her textile wall hangings, tea cosies, homewares and wearable fashion in Tasmania, Turkey and France.
She is one of several guest artists who have created a special exhibition of 15 hand-embroidered tea cosies.
"Embroidery is a form of communication and a means of telling a story through fragments and scraps held together with many stitches," Badcock said.
Fina was only 15 years old when she died. Miracles attributed to Fina are mentioned in stories, paintings, poems and documents.
Saint Fina is officially celebrated in San Gimingano, Italy, on March 12, the anniversary of her death.
Her bones are kept inside the alter of the Saint Fina Chapel.
These are symbolised by a jar of Tasmanian devil bones sewn onto Badcock's tea cosy.
"So when you look at Tara's tea cosy, she has embroidered golden thread onto a scarlet red background to symbolise the wealth of the nobles who resided in San Gimingano during medieval times," Trevor Richards, of Morpeth Gallery, said.
"Tara's initials are placed in the bottom corner of the tea cosy. It is indeed a work of art."
The teapot and tea cosy exhibition runs until Sunday, August 30, at Morpeth Gallery.
