Details

About the Two Tone Wooden Crab Decoration, 31cm

The body is wood, rounded like a real crab's shell, in lighter and darker tones: the two tones in the name. The legs and claws are cut from flat dark metal, so they look like a quick sketch of a crab drawn around a solid wooden shell.

Where it works: on a kitchen wall or above a kitchen doorway as crab kitchen decor; in a hallway as the first thing guests see; in a bathroom with blue and white tiles. Among other nautical wall art it brings some depth, because the rounded body stands out from the wall.

Spacing it: the claws and legs set the width, so allow at least 31cm of wall, more if it sits between pictures. In a narrow hallway, hang it at eye level or just above so the claws aren't brushed past, and keep it out of direct splashes in a bathroom.

On its own on a plain wall, the outline of the metal legs and claws shows best. In a group with other pieces, give it some space around the claws so it doesn't look crowded.

Crab lovers, keen crabbers and anyone who orders crab by the sea will appreciate a wooden crab wall plaque, a present for the whole house rather than another shelf ornament.

The real thing is just as handsome: the edible or brown crab of UK waters, Cancer pagurus, has a shell 10 to 20cm wide with a 'pie crust' edge and black-tipped claws, and it's Europe's most important commercial crab. As a crab ornament or crab wall hanging, this one gives you the shape without the pinch.