The fastest cat on the planet, a solitary hunter and a devoted single mother, the cheetah once ranged over the entire continent but now survives only on the open savannah woodlands of southern Africa.

The Root Tree was the first candle holder that Patrick ever created. It is modelled on an ebony tree – Diospyros mespiliformis – with the fascinating root mass at the base supporting the trunk and leafy canopy above. In the lowveld area of Zimbabwe clumps of these trees are found near natural pans and waterholes. Scores of different animals clamber about the twisted roots, some using them as a scratching post, some simply resting in the shade. This remains Patrick’s most popular table piece and comes in several variations – adorned with rhino, baboons, lion, leopard, giraffe, sable, buffalo, meerkats, cheetah or elephant. Each tree is cast in solid sterling silver, hallmarked and signed by Patrick Mavros or one of his sons.