Silver Fuzzypeg Hedgehog Brooch

Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) get their name from the characteristic loud snuffling noises they make when they are looking for food in hedgerows. Alison Uttley, the writer of the Little Grey Rabbit books named the little hedgehog in her stories Fuzzypeg. This is the old Derbyshire dialect for the hedgehog which is derived from the old name for them “furze pigs”. In some European folk tales the hedgehog is a wise animal, often giving sage advice to the gods. If wisdom comes with age then there may be scientific basis to the old folk tales - incredibly, hedgehogs have changed little since they evolved around 15 million years ago.

Inspired by the hedgehogs in my backyard, the hedgehog design on this brooch is created from one of my original wildlife sketches and is etched permanently into the silver. It is hand cut from sterling silver sheet and shaped into a slight dome so it stands out when it is fastened to your garment.

The brooch is 4.5 cm x 3cm and has a traditional pin and safety catch.