Weeping Willow – openwork plaque for a cemetery 2234

Openwork cemetery plaque 2234 — a tree leaning over the inscription

The left side is filled by a willow with a thick, leaning trunk and long shoots hanging down. The branches do not stop at the edge of the drawing — they reach over the inscription field and partly cover it, so the tree truly seems to bend over it. It is a compositional device that is hard to achieve in stone, but in cut metal it comes out naturally.
The weeping willow is one of the oldest symbols of mourning in European funerary art — it has appeared on gravestones since the 18th century. Model 2234 is chosen by families looking for an atmospheric form that does not refer directly to religious symbolism, yet is rooted in tradition.

Acid-resistant steel — what model 2234 is made of

The base is stainless sheet with an addition of molybdenum, a type used where ordinary stainless steel is no longer enough — by the sea, in cold stores, in the chemical industry. In a cemetery this means decades of peace of mind: no tarnish, no rusty streaks running down the granite. The drooping shoots are the longest thin elements in the whole series, so we give them generous width and finish each one with a rounding that disperses stress.
In brief:

• Material: marine-grade stainless steel sheet (acid-resistant)
• Finish: polished, satin, black or gold – your choice
• Sizes: 30x53 cm and 40x71 cm
• Mounting: mounted on spacer sleeves – a shadow effect beneath the inscription
• Warranty: 10 years against corrosion; production from 14 working days

Four finishes to choose from

The finish changes the overall impression more than the shape itself. Polished is mirror-like and stands out most on dark stone — the willow shoots then turn into silver streams. Satin gives a matte, silky tone and is more forgiving during installation, and the drawing of the tree reads most calmly on it. Black creates the sharpest contrast on light granite and sandstone, turning the willow into a distinct silhouette. Gold is reserved for prestigious compositions. Lead time: polished, satin and black fourteen working days, gold twenty-one.

Mounting on the gravestone and later care

The mounting system consists of spacer sleeves glued into holes in the granite. The plaque hangs a few millimeters above the stone, so a shadow appears beneath the cut-out drawing and moisture is not trapped between the metal and the slab. With the willow this gap does the most: the shadows of the shoots fall onto the metal and the tree gains a second, softer layer. The solution also works on uneven and pebbled surfaces. Maintenance comes down to wiping with a damp cloth. You can see the other models in the openwork stainless steel plaques, and projects outside the catalog are handled as custom projects.

Before you order model 2234

What size fits a typical slab?

The available sizes are 30x53 cm and 40x71 cm. The smaller size is intended for single gravestones and side plaques, the larger one for double slabs. If you are unsure, a photo of the gravestone with a tape measure held against it is enough — we will choose the size and send back a recommendation.

Which finish copes best with dust and rain?

The satin finish is the least demanding to maintain. The matte surface does not show streaks or water spots as clearly as a mirror finish does. The polished finish looks more striking, but after rain streaks may be visible until the next wipe.

Can I choose the wording freely?

Yes — we cut the inscription all the way through to your specific details, so you decide the wording yourself. We only watch the minimum letter thickness. We send the visualization for approval before cutting.

Won't the branches cover part of the inscription?

No — we choose the layout of the letters only after the wording is settled, so we arrange the lines to avoid the drooping shoots. This is one of the reasons we design every plaque from scratch instead of pasting text into a ready-made template.