David Harber

Inspired by the interaction of light, landscape and water, David Harber uses contemporary three-dimensional design to celebrate unpredictability, illusion and passing time. Since 1992, his custom-built sundials, garden sculptures and water features have worked their magic on homes and gardens around the world. Their appeal is timeless. But each piece also stands as an original work of garden art, created as a unique commission or as a personalised edition of a classic Harber design.Whether it’s celebrating a special occasion or turning a space into the centre of attention, a Harber sundial, sculpture or water feature is something you can truly call your own. 

At a time when little is handmade and still less handmade in England, it is reassuring to know that every David Harber design is built by a real human being. Or, in most cases, several human beings. From welding, enamelling and polishing to etching, engraving and goldleafing, our hand-picked team of craftsmen bring generations of inherited knowledge and skill to everything they touch. And with every piece they create, their legacy is strengthened and secured for generations to come.

Each year David accepts a limited number of personal commissions in which he will work with you and your designers on your bespoke garden project. For individual consultations, David spends time viewing a space, and discovering with you how you would like to give it shape.

The full special commission process involves a close consideration of your space, and an exploration over time of ideas for a creative scheme that will weave some of David's magic into a garden design. Once a project is under way, David personally oversees the development process all the way through to the final installation.

Special commissions involve an initial fee of £350 refundable against your order. Bespoke commissions are different to the simpler personalisation offerered by David Harber, where custom mottoes, markers or pointers can be added to personalise almost any of David Harber's sundials, garden sculptures or water features.

David Harber shows off the David Harber stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - watch video