Three Wise Figures Garden Statue

The see-no-evil trio is one of the oldest visual jokes in garden ornament, and it still works because the poses read instantly from across a lawn. These are sold as single figures — See, Hear and Speak — so you can start with one, buy the set over time, or use just the one that suits the spot.

Each is cast in resin from a hand-sculpted original, which is what gives the folds of the robes and the hands their definition; the surface is then finished by hand in an aged stone tone with darker pigment settled into the recesses. Resin is a better choice outdoors than cast concrete for a piece this size: it will not crack in frost, it will not stain from below, and one person can move it.

They suit the edge of a border, a step, a patio corner or a shelf indoors, and they weather to a softer tone over a season or two. Site on level ground; in an exposed spot, bed the base slightly into gravel or soil. Wipe with water and a soft brush; avoid pressure washers and solvent cleaners. Grouped as three, they work best slightly apart and at different heights, which is closer to how the figures were traditionally arranged than a neat row.

• Hand-finished cast resin, aged stone tone
• Figures: See, Hear, Speak — sold singly
• Frost and weather resistant
• Lightweight compared with concrete
• Suits borders, patios, steps and indoor shelves
• Colour softens naturally outdoors
• Clean with water and a soft brush only