Mi wnaf long...

Mi wnaf long o dderw cariad
Hen Benillion

Hen Benillion are traditional Welsh folk verses - anonymous lines of wit, wisdom, tenderness, and everyday truth - preserved in twentieth-century collections edited by T. H. Parry-Williams. Rooted in oral tradition and carried through generations, these short poems offer a glimpse into the rhythms of Welsh life and the shared emotions that shape a community.

The Hen Benillion series brings these inherited words into contemporary glass. Each verse is hand-painted using traditional medieval glass-painting techniques and kiln-fired onto uniquely coloured and textured glass, allowing old language to breathe again through light, colour, and craft.

CY (original)
Mi wnaf long o dderw cariad,
A’i mast hi o bren y profiad;
A rhof hiraeth arni i nofio
O don i don i’r wlad a fynno.

ENG (poetic translation)
I will build an oak ship, my love,
its mast from the wood of experience;
I will give it longing enough to move,
from wave to wave, toward the land it desires.

Size: approx. 10cm x 10cm + black metal chain + oak stand

The piece will arrive packaged in sustainable materials and gift-ready with the bilingual transcription provided.

Currently, I only ship within UK mainland. Due to UK REACH regulations on leaded glass, I’m unable to ship to Northern Ireland, the EU, or overseas destinations such as the USA, Canada, or Australia.

Materials & Care

This piece is handmade using the copper foil stained glass technique. It contains solder made from lead and tin, and lead came may be present. For safety, please wash hands after handling. This is decorative glass art intended for indoor display and is not a toy - keep out of reach of children and pets.

Art glass used in this piece may contain natural variations such as roll marks, bubbles, light texture, or uneven surfaces. These are not defects, but beautiful characteristics of handmade glass that should be celebrated.

Wires used are made from copper and tinned for durability; chains are metal, and string hangings use natural jute or satin ribbons. Stands are made from UK-sourced natural wood, typically oak or yew, as shown in the listing. The solder is finished with either black or copper patina or left silver, and protected with specialty finishing compounds to reduce oxidation and extend the life of the piece.

For dusting, use a soft, dry cloth - avoid pressure, rubbing, or household cleaners. For full guidance, visit the Glass Art Care page.