Coventry Emblem Crafted From Glass

Coventry Reimagined: Artist Crafts City Emblem from Riverbed Relics 

Coventry resident Scott Duffin has created a striking interpretation of the city's official emblem. The artist fashioned this unique mosaic entirely from fragments of discarded glass containers. His work offers a fresh perspective on the traditional coat of arms. Duffin assembled the piece using approximately six thousand recycled shards. This intricate mosaic stands as a testament to patience and artistic dedication. It blends local history with contemporary concerns about recycling and waste. The project reflects a deep connection to Coventry's heritage and environment.

Sourcing Materials from Waterways

Duffin, a passionate gatherer of local memorabilia, sourced his primary materials in an unconventional way. He salvaged numerous Milk of Magnesia containers from Coventry's waterways. This specific choice of material proved significant for the artwork's final appearance. The distinctive blue colour of these historical bottles became a central element in the design. The process required considerable effort even before assembly began. Five months dedicated to collecting ensured Duffin had sufficient materials for his ambitious project. This commitment highlights the labour involved in transforming discarded items into art.

Mudlarking for History's Fragments

The practice of searching riverbanks for historical artefacts is known as mudlarking. Duffin embraced this method for several years, finding treasures along Coventry's rivers. The artist enjoys finding items related to the city's past through mudlarking activities. Many broken antique pottery pieces emerge from the river mud. These fragments led to the development of mosaics focused entirely on Coventry themes. This specific coat of arms mosaic, titled 'Coventry World', represents a recent redesign concept. Duffin started using his mudlarking finds for mosaics about a year before completing 'Coventry World'.

From Shards to Symbolism

Duffin explained the motivation behind using these specific materials. The salvaged glass enabled the integration of Coventry City Football Club's identity into the mosaic. The sky-blue colour, synonymous with the team, features prominently thanks to the Milk of Magnesia bottles. Beyond its ties to sports, the artwork also features traditional heraldic symbolism. Elements from the city's official crest, such as the eagle and phoenix, feature in the design. These inclusions serve as a deliberate reflection of local history and civic identity. The mosaic becomes a layered narrative of Coventry’s Journey from History to Today.

The Palette of the Past

The chosen blue glass provides more than just a link to the local football club. Phillips Milk of Magnesia bottles, often found in a distinct blue hue, possess their own history. Production likely commenced soon after the formula's patent in 1873. Early versions probably used generic aqua or colourless bottles. Embossed bottles specifically for Milk of Magnesia appeared later, setting a design standard around the turn of the 20th century. Some sources suggest the light blue colour resulted from the sand used by the Tibby Brothers glass house, a supplier until around 1915. Others date specific blue bottles to the 1930s. These historical details add depth to Duffin's material choice.

Labour of Love and Patience

Creating the mosaic involved vast amounts of meticulous work. After the five-month collection phase, the assembly process demanded significant time and focus. Duffin carefully arranged each of the six thousand glass shards. This painstaking effort transformed fragmented history into a cohesive artistic statement. The scale of the 'Coventry World' mosaic, measuring six feet by four feet, underscores the magnitude of the undertaking. The process itself reflects a dedication to both craft and subject matter. Each piece contributes to the larger narrative embedded within the artwork.

Image Credit - BBC

Art as a Therapeutic Outlet

Duffin candidly shared the personal significance of his creative endeavours. Artistic expression provides therapeutic value, aiding management of anxiety and depression. Engaging in creative work offers a release mechanism. It helps manage the unexpected onset of panic attacks. The focus required for mosaic-making fosters introspection. This creative process contributes to greater self-awareness, particularly as Duffin matures. Art becomes a tool for personal growth and emotional regulation. This aspect highlights the profound connection between creativity and mental wellbeing.

The Therapeutic Power of Art: A Path to Healing and Self-Expression

Art therapy is increasingly recognised for its mental health benefits. It provides a non-verbal means of expression, crucial when words fail. Creating art can help individuals explore complex feelings and experiences safely. This process promotes insight, self-compassion, and a sense of agency. Studies show activities like painting or sculpting can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Engaging in art lowers stress hormones like cortisol. The focus involved aids mindfulness and distracts from daily pressures. Artistic creation connects brain hemispheres, vital for processing trauma and anxiety. It requires no prior skill, prioritising process over product.

Benefits Across Demographics

The positive impact of art therapy extends across various groups. It assists people dealing with grief, trauma, learning disabilities, and illness-related psychological challenges. Research indicates group art activities significantly benefit older adults, reducing depression and anxiety comparably to traditional therapies. Benefits appear consistent across different art forms, suggesting the shared creative experience is key. For young people, school-based art therapy improves quality of life, anxiety levels, and self-concept. Making art alongside a therapist can also build trust and understanding in therapeutic relationships. The UK's social prescribing initiative already incorporates such community activities.

A Lifelong Passion for Collecting

Duffin identifies as a lifelong collector, with a particular focus on Coventry's past. This passion extends far beyond the glass fragments used in the mosaic. Friends and acquaintances often offer Coventry keepsakes, aware of this deep interest. An admitted inability to decline items representing the city's history fuels the collection's growth. This dedication has resulted in what Duffin believes might be the largest private collection of Coventry-related artefacts. The collecting impulse intensified during the Covid pandemic lockdowns. It provides focus and enjoyment, preserving tangible links to the city's story.

Treasures of Coventry's Heritage

The assortment gathered over the years is diverse and fascinating. It includes items spanning centuries of Coventry life. Among the notable pieces are a bus stop marker dating back to the 1920s. A vintage sewer cover, bearing the mark of Coventry Corporation, represents municipal history. An old telephone directory offers a snapshot of residents and businesses from a bygone era. The collection also boasts Coventry-cut coins from the late 1600s. More recent additions include signs from closed local establishments, like the Black Horse pub sign. These objects offer tangible connections to the everyday lives of past Coventrians.

Documenting the Elephant City

Duffin's interest in Coventry history extends beyond collecting artefacts. In 2023, Duffin co-authored a book titled 'Elephants of Coventry' with Adam Wood. This publication provides a visual history of the city. It documents over 300 representations of the elephant, one of Coventry's most famous symbols. This project demonstrates a commitment to sharing Coventry's heritage with a wider audience. The research for the book likely deepened the understanding of the symbolism incorporated into the mosaic artwork. The elephant motif frequently appears in mudlarking finds, often sparking excitement.

Sharing History with the Public

Ambitions exist to eventually share the extensive private collection with the society. Duffin foresees creating a pop-up museum or events space. This would allow residents and visitors to engage directly with Coventry's tangible past. Some items, including the 'Coventry World' mosaic, have already been displayed during Heritage Open Days events in the city. Duffin also organizes guided walks, sharing knowledge about local history, such as the city walls or the elephant symbols around the city centre. These activities demonstrate a desire to make history accessible and engaging for the community.

Image Credit - BBC

Understanding the Coventry Emblem

The Coventry coat of arms, which Duffin reimagined, has a rich history itself. King Edward III supposedly granted the original arms in 1345. The core elements feature a golden elephant carrying a golden castle on a red and green shield. These colours, red and green, are the traditional city colours, documented since at least 1441. The crest features a wildcat, often interpreted as a symbol of watchfulness. This feline might represent the wildcats once inhabiting the nearby Forest of Arden. The helmet depicted is that of an esquire, standard for borough arms.

Symbolism of the Elephant and Castle

The elephant and castle motif holds multiple layers of meaning. Primarily, the elephant symbolises strength, capable of carrying a castle tower filled with armed men. Local historian Mary Dormer Harris proposed a deeper religious significance rooted in medieval bestiaries. In these texts, the elephant represented Christ's redemption of humanity. An associated story describes hunters felling an elephant leaning on a tree, only for a young elephant to revive it – analogous to the fall of Adam and Eve and Christ's intervention. The elephant was also considered a dragon slayer, potentially linking to St. George, sometimes claimed as Coventry-born.

Later Additions: Eagle and Phoenix

The current coat of arms includes supporters added much later, granted in 1959. These are the Eagle of Leofric and the Phoenix. The black eagle represents Leofric, Earl of Mercia and husband of Lady Godiva, symbolising ancient Coventry. Lady Godiva and Earl Leofric founded Coventry's first cathedral, originally a monastery, around 1043. The phoenix, famously rising from flames, signifies the 'New Coventry'. This imagery powerfully represents the city's rebirth and reconstruction after the devastating bombing raids of the Second World War. This resonates with Coventry's enduring spirit of regeneration.

Motto and Other Connections

The motto "Camera Principis" translates to "the Prince's Chamber". This is widely believed to refer to Edward, the Black Prince. His grandmother, Queen Isabella, once owned the Manor of Cheylesmore in Coventry, which eventually passed to him. Interestingly, the elephant and castle motif also appears on the coat of arms of Bolton. This connection might stem from the old Diocese of Mercia, which had its seat in Coventry and historically included Bolton-le-Moors. This shared symbolism highlights historical administrative and ecclesiastical links between the regions.

The Phoenix Initiative and Regeneration

The phoenix symbolism holds particular weight in Coventry due to its history of rebuilding. The Coventry Phoenix Initiative, launched in the early 1990s, was a major regeneration project. It aimed to revitalise the city centre around the Cathedral and University areas. This project incorporated significant public art commissions, intending to reconcile history with the future. Works like Christine Browne's 'Cofa's Tree' mosaic in Priory Garden emerged was a product of this campaign. 'Cofa's Tree' itself possibly references the origin of Coventry's name (Cofantreo). The Whittle Arch, honouring jet engine inventor Sir Frank Whittle, was another key structure from this period.

Recycled Art as a Movement

Duffin's work participates in a broader movement of recycled and sustainable art. Artists across the UK increasingly utilise discarded materials. Claire Shahrivar, based on the Isle of Wight, uses glass remnants from her glassblowing work to create pictures and jewellery. Hannah Gibson, near London, uses predominantly recycled glass and found objects in her cast sculptures exploring sustainability. Adele Billinghay, near Lincoln, works mostly with waste glass destined for landfill. Kira Phoenix K'inan, in London, focuses on sustainable and ethical production in glass sculptures. This context positions Duffin's mosaic within a contemporary artistic trend focused on environmental awareness and material transformation.

Continuing Creativity and Community Engagement

Recent reports confirm Duffin continues creating new pieces. The 'Coventry World' mosaic, made from pottery shards, was unveiled in April 2025. This piece also took five months and approximately 6,000 fragments to complete. Duffin remains active in mudlarking, constantly finding new materials which influence the growth of the artworks. The focus remains on achieving the desired colours using found historical fragments. Beyond art creation, Duffin actively engages with the community. Together with Pete Garbett from the Visit Historic Coventry Facebook page, Duffin participated in community clean-up efforts, demonstrating a hands-on commitment to the city's heritage sites.

An Enduring Legacy

history, personal journey, and contemporary artistic practice. By transforming discarded glass into a representation of Coventry's emblem, the piece embodies themes of recycling and regeneration. It connects the city's industrial past, represented by the bottles, with its heraldic traditions and sporting identity. The therapeutic aspect underscores the power of creativity for personal wellbeing. As Duffin continues to collect, create, and share Coventry's history, this shard-based vision offers a unique and resonant contribution to the city's cultural landscape.