The Middle-earth™ Collection
Design Inspiration
Our Middle-earth themed designs faithfully capture the unique magic within the books of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The Collection is an enduring passion for the Oscha team and creating these designs is a true labour of love: evident in the fine details of these designs and careful interpretation of the motifs of Middle-earth.
MISTY MOUNTAINS™
The formidable mountain range, which cuts across Middle-earth is shown in a lovely illustrative story-book style with flowing mist and a starry sky. The verse sung by Thorin Oakenshield & Co. in The Hobbit™ runs along the borders in runes:
"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold."
DOORS OF DURIN
Our interpretation of the door to the Mines of Moria represents the magical moment when Gandalf speaks the Sindarin word for 'Friend' (Mellon). After generations of lying closed to the world, the gateway is opened to the travellers of the Fellowship in the Third Age.
The Elvish inscription above the doors is faithfully reproduced, reading:
"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."
Learn more about the design in our blog post.
Ancients of GONDOR™
The White Tree is the emblem of Gondor, symbolising rebirth and the lineage of the Kings. Yet it also connects back to the very creation myths of the Middle-earth universe. Our Ancients of GONDOR pattern represents the long lineage of the White Trees leading up to and including the Tree of Gondor, as described in the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.
Stylised, flowing tree forms, reminiscent of Celtic knots, are bordered by a simple meandering line of dots, interspersed with the Elvish script, naming each tree in turn.
Learn more about the design in our blog post.
Trees of GONDOR™
In this version of the design, the elements are reduced and there are two rows. Perfect for scarves or to show more of the pattern.
You will also find a version of the pattern with a single tree which may be used on Baby Blankets or Throws named Tree of GONDOR.
REALM OF MIDDLE-EARTH
This detailed pattern was hand drawn by Oscha’s designers to represent the descriptions of the land of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings, from Mordor to The Lonely Mountain, the Belegaer sea to Forodwaith. It features classical map elements such as a compass plus sea, mountain and forest design elements.
THE RINGS OF POWER™
The Rings of Power are described in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as magical rings which gift the wearer special powers. Symbols for the 19 rings of power that were crafted are brought together in this design. Each circular emblem denotes the bearers of the three groups of magical rings: Elves, Dwarves & Men.
A flowing border names each of the groups in Elvish - 'Three Rings for the Elven Kings, Seven Rings for the Dwarf Lords, Nine Rings for mortal Men'. Under each emblem reads - 'One Ring' - connecting them all forever.
Pattern Variation
You can also find a version of the design with 4 rows of the pattern, ideal for scarves or for those who prefer the detail of a smaller scale.
Our blog post tells the story of the making of the Rings of Power and goes into detail on each element of the design.
HOBBIT QUEST
This clever design is set in Lake Town and tells the story of the Dwarves and Bilbo's journey to the Lonely Mountain (which you can see in the background) - they have passed through the Misty Mountains and it shows their escape from Mirkwood, down Forest River into the Long Lake in barrels.
The runes along the borders feature a quote from The Hobbit:
“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.”
Learn More
The mirrored design features unique elements on each side, one representing day and the other night. If you look closely you can see Smaug in the sky and some of the characters and creatures that helped them like the Eagles, Beorn and Gandalf. Learn more about the design in our blog post.
RIVENDELL™
Rivendell is described in the works of Tolkien as a peaceful, magical sanctuary established by Elrond and located at the edge of a narrow gorge, hidden in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. According to The Hobbit, "Evil things did not come into that valley".
The pattern is influenced by a linocut printing style - with fine, clear lines creating texture and movement and whimsical story-book imagery. It features Elven houses nestled into the Valley sides and flowing waterfalls.
A quote in Elvish flows along the borders from Bilbo on The Last Homely House East of the Sea. It reads: “Time doesn’t seem to pass here: it just is.”
IMLADRIS
Imladris (the Elvish word for Rivendell) is another design inspired by descriptions of 'The Last Homely House'. This version is in the illustrative style similar to Misty Mountains, together with Art Nouveau inspiration.
The Elvish border quote reads: “Rivendell, upon whose house the stars of heaven most brightly shone.”
Read the Blog post about the design development of Rivendell and Imladris.
THE LONELY MOUNTAIN™
This hand-drawn design is inspired by storybook covers as well as ancient maps, it tells the tale of The Lonely Mountain, or Erebor, the Dwarven kingdom which was home to the exiled members of King Durin's folk, led by the King Under the Mountain, Thrór, until the attack and occupation by the dragon Smaug. This towering mountain is the quest's end for Thorin Oakenshield and company, along with Bilbo Baggins, in their efforts to reclaim the kingdom for their people in The Hobbit.
The runes read:
"Five feet high the door and three may walk abreast Th. Th."
Echoing the description of the Black Door on Thorin's map. Th. Th. refers to Thrór and Thrain, Thorin's father and grandfather, who drew the map which leads the company to Smaug's lair. Nearby Smaug circles the mountain containing his hoard, while the banners proclaim the name of the mountain in flowing script.
MITHRIL™
A Dwarven treasure, Mithril is a metal that is described in The Hobbit as resembling silver but being stronger and lighter than steel. This design is Inspired by the 'small shirt of mail' retrieved from the dragon, Smaug's treasure in The Lonely Mountain, and given to Bilbo by Thorin Oakenshield. In Rivendell, Bilbo later gifts it to Frodo saying “My heart is glad to know you have such a coat” - this quote is inscribed in Elvish on the borders of our Mithril design.
The chain mail is described as being 'as supple almost as linen, cold as ice, and harder than steel. It shone like moonlit silver, and was studded with white gems.' This design features intricate interlinking rings leading to delicate circular details which frame the hems of the fabric.
OAKENSHIELD
This pattern celebrates the Oakenshield lineage of Dwarf-Kings who ruled over the mines and wealth of The Lonely Mountain. You can find the names of the 3 prominent Kings inscribed in runes on the design - Thrór, Thráin and Thorin as well as their title 'King Under the Mountain' along the borders.
The Hobbit tells the story of Thorin Oakenshield's return to claim the Mountain hoard from the dragon, Smaug, who ousted his grandfather, Thrór from The Lonely Mountain and this design is an ode to that quest and the Dwarves' determination.
The design nods to the motifs and hard lines of Art Deco pieces, creating a series of decorative shields which feature straight-edged interlocking patterns reminiscent of Celtic knots but with a more industrial aesthetic, reflecting the nature of the Dwarves of Middle-earth. Hidden in the artwork are elements indicating the wealth they uncovered and the objects they skillfully crafted.
Khazad-dûm™
This pattern depicts the cavernous halls of Khazad-dûm, including grand staircases and towering pillars. A series of shields are embellished with icons and runes celebrating the Dwarven-kings of Moria. It is drawn in the strong Elvish style with elements of angular Celtic knotwork and hints of Art Deco
The runes that run along the borders of the pattern are from 'The Song of Durin', which is sung by Gimli as an ode to the splendors of Dwarrowdelf.:
"A king he was on carven throne
In many-pillared halls of stone
With golden roof and silver floor,
And runes of power upon the door."
EVENSTAR™
This pattern represents Arwen Undómiel, daughter of Elrond of Rivendell and granddaughter of Galadriel of Lothlórien. Arwen is also named 'Evenstar' as one of the last and greatest Elves to live in Middle-earth. She also bears a necklace called 'the Evenstar' which she gifts to Frodo to aid him to recover from the great weight of carrying the One Ring to Mordor saying -
"When the memory of the fear and the darkness troubles you ... this will bring you aid."
This design signifies the grace, strength and beauty of Arwen as well as the gift to Frodo.
ARWEN
This adaptation of the Evenstar design features a quote from Frodo on the borders spoken to Gandalf at Arwen's wedding party in The Return of the King. Frodo "was moved with great wonder" at Arwen's beauty and filled with a vast sense of hope and optimism for the future, the quote reads:
“Now not day only shall be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed, and all its fear pass away.”
ROHAN
The Rohan design symbolises the culture and iconography of the Rohirrim, as described in The Lord of the Rings - proud people with a strong monarchy, known for their skilled cavalry and horse training.
"I have been among them," [said] Aragorn. "They are proud and wilful, but they are true-hearted, generous in thought and deed."
The design took inspiration from tapestries depicting historical tales which were said to line the halls of Meduseld (the Hall of the King of Rohan), as well as descriptions of the banner of Rohan and Théoden's shield.
The pattern contains Celtic knot-work, interlocking shield-like formations, which reference the proud warrior tradition of the Rohirrim, as well as sun & star emblems and a rearing horse icon as we might imagine their banner to contain.
SMAUG™
Smaug is the fearsome dragon who ousted King Thrór and the Dwarves of Erebor within the Lonely Mountain. Smaug was "the greatest of the dragons of his day", after driving the Dwarves out of the Mountain he remained for the next 150 years guarding his hoard before the arrival of Thorin Oakenshield and co. to oust him with the help of Bilbo and Gandalf.
This illustrative design was based on the wonderful descriptions of Smaug in The Hobbit, with his fiery red scales and magnificently menacing features. Intricate scales cascade down Smaug's back as a fireball erupts from his awesomely powerful jaws, falling across his wings in an incomparable depiction of the mighty beast slain by the Bard at Laketown.
"My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail is a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!" - Smaug.
GALADRIEL™
Galadriel was a royal Elf described as "the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth" and the "greatest of elven women". Known for her role as a great leader she created the sanctuary of Lothlórien - and is a 'Guardian of the Golden Wood'. This Art Nouveau-style design depicts the iconic scene described in The Lord of the Rings where Galadriel gazes into her Mirror on Frodo's behalf to see;
"Things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be.”
Displaying great personal strength, Galadriel refuses the One Ring from Frodo.
The Lady of Lothlórien is wise, noble and powerful. She is at one with her surroundings, the pattern symbolises this with the leaves of the Mallorn trees and the Elanor flowers flowing into her elegant robes.
THE SHIRE™
The Shire is the quiet, secluded home of Hobbits as described in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It is a lush green countryside of rolling hills where the Hobbits make their homes, 'Hobbit Holes', which are cosy and filled with comforts. There are many gardens:
'for all Hobbits share a love of things that grow.'
Our detailed Shire design depicts this homely description with classic round Hobbit doors, it evokes the pages of a storybook as smoke rises from warm hearths and well-tended gardens teem with life.
HOBBITON™
The village of Hobbiton is where the beloved characters, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins live within The Shire.
This version of the pattern features different elements including more wildlife and a pond. We also have adaptations of it with different borders you may find across the site.
LEGEND OF FRODO™
This simple, elegant design features a flowing Elvish script as a testament to Frodo Baggins' quest to Mordor. The text on the design reads 'even the smallest person can change the course of history,' which is inspired by the quote in The Lord of the Rings:
"Such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."
As the Hobbit, Frodo, supported by his dear friend, Samwise Gamgee, secretly journeys to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, ultimately destroying the Dark Lord Sauron who never suspects such an unlikely foe.
The prominent band of text proclaims the name of this design: “The Legend of Frodo”. Interspersed with delicate Elven motifs.
TREEBEARD™
This detailed, illustration shows Treebeard and his tree-giant friends in the forest of Fangorn. Also known as tree-herders, these ancient beings protect and nurture the woods.
The design features part of a quote from Treebeard to Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings "For the world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. I do not think we shall meet again"
The pattern is inspired by woodcuts and the aesthetic art movement style. It is an adaptation of our Fangorn pattern.
FANGORN
This pattern commemorates Treebeard, a tree-giant, or Ent. He is said by Gandalf to be "the oldest living thing that still walks beneath the Sun upon this Middle-earth". Living in the ancient Forest of Fangorn, to which Treebeard has given his name (Fangorn in Elvish) which lies at the southern end of the Misty Mountains.
In this detailed depiction you can see Treebeard and Beechbone hide amongst the flora and fauna of the forest, and as the roots of trees twist below the earth the quote from Treebeard reads
“The world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air.”
MORIA™
This simple design features a quote from the song sung by Gimli during the Fellowship's quest to Mordor, the Dwarvish runes read:
“In Moria, in Khazad-Dum. The world was fair in Durin’s day.”
This excerpt from the Song of Durin recalls the splendour of Dwarrowdelf, also known as Khazad-dûm & Moria, the grandest and most famous of the mansions of the Dwarves.
The runes are interspersed with small elements to symbolise the gems mined from Moria.
LOTHLORIEN™
Lothlórien is a woodland realm of the Elves of Middle-earth as described in The Lord of the Rings. It is protected by Galadriel and her Ring of Power, which hides it from Sauron. It is a place filled with peace in which The Fellowship is restored during their journey.
Lothlórien is filled with Mallorn trees, high amongst which the Elves live. The trees are magical; their leaves, green above and silver beneath, turn gold in autumn and do not fall until spring when golden flowers bloom. Mallorn trees have a great presence; Frodo said he could feel the "life of the tree" when he touched one.
This design depicts this place of peace and strength with flowing Elven-inspired motifs which feature the Mallorn flowers, branches and leaves.
Middle-earth, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC and are used under license by Oscha Slings. All rights reserved.