Swan Woodland Sprite – Set of Three Babushka Boxes
Handcrafted Ceramic Nesting Set for Transformation, Storytelling & Swan Magic
This beautifully whimsical set of three hand-painted nesting figures tells a quiet myth of shapeshifting and belonging. Inspired by folklore and forest fables, the outermost figure is a serene woodland sprite, cloaked in swan feathers and holding a white swan tenderly to her chest. Inside her hides a swirling, feathered vessel. And at the heart of it all: a delicate, white swan, the soul of the story.
These figures nest within one another like a secret — each layer peeled back revealing a deeper truth. Their forms echo the ancient swan maiden legends found in Celtic and Northern European lore, where divine women could slip between worlds by shedding or donning feathered cloaks. They were said to transform at will, guarding their freedom, mystery, and deep connection to water and sky.
This collectible set invites quiet wonder, and is perfect for altars, storytelling, or as a gift for those who walk between worlds.
Details:
• Hand-sculpted and painted by Carys Martin
• Set includes 3 nesting ceramic pieces: swan, inner vessel, and outer swan maiden sprite
• Inspired by swan maiden shapeshifter mythology
• Rich with painted detail, symbolism, and hidden story
• One-of-a-kind
Whispers of the Swan Maidens...
In Celtic folklore, swans are sacred messengers of the Otherworld — beings of song, sorrow, and transformation. One beloved tale tells of the Children of Lir, who were turned into swans by a jealous stepmother and condemned to wander Ireland’s waters for 900 years. Though cursed, their song became a blessing — a mournful melody that carried wisdom, memory, and the voice of the divine.
The Swan Woodland Sprite set echoes this tradition — a tribute to the shapeshifting spirit, the hidden soul beneath the feathers, and the magic that lingers between layers of story and self.
Approximate dimensions- height of largest swan 12cm
