We're not big on celebrating Mother's Day or Father's Day (and forget Valentine's Day!) but we thought we would make it a bit special yesterday and had a day out. We went to a Fair we used to sell at regularly, and it was lovely to see old friends and see what the Fair was like post-Covid. LOTS of new sellers, I can certainly say that. Many of the old regular faces were gone - although some were outside - but it was certainly a different line-up. Prices were much more sensible than Malvern, where it's think of a number (and then double it!) I was looking for things which WEREN'T china! Got a most unusual carving, well-worn and fascinating, and I'm still researching that. A few other things too. Unfortunately the cheapo wheelchair let us down again and one tyre was flat before we even went 100yds! One for the Tip . . .
It's a bit dragon-like, but has oak leaves and acorns carved around the face, but it's not an obviously human face so isn't a Green Man. It is carved to be around a pillar, and has been either repurposed or mended to be held in place at some point, which has caused considerable wear. It looks like it has been well-weathered so not sure if from an abandoned (roofless!) church or on a house. I don't believe it's British. Dealer who sold it reckoned it was off a ship . . . It is oak, and it takes some centuries of weathering to wear oak away like this.
Such pretty roses growing up this cottage wall.
Ooh, I do love old ruins. A staircase or a doorway to nowhere has my imagination running wild.
ReplyDeleteMost castles had Left Hand staircases which allowed you to go up them backwards, your right arm free to wield your sword! You'd be bejeebered if you were left-handed though!
DeleteWhat a mysterious lump of a carving! Certainly looks ancient.
ReplyDeleteSeems so odd to read about Abbots falling out - thought they liked peace and quiet
I think this was a really prime piece of real estate, hence the squabbling. I am calling the carving a Grotesque for the moment . . .
DeleteI reckon your carving is a face. It has Celtic twirls to its eyes and mouth (moustache?)
ReplyDeleteAh ha - Pictish Scrolls! That sums it up!! It does look face-like but not human face . . .
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a lovely day out. The carving look so old and exceedingly interesting. Please let us know if you find out any more.
ReplyDeleteI will do, but it's a tough nut to crack. Can't find anything remotely like . . .
DeleteMmm, what an interesting carving, an object of oak is a joy for ever. I spotted navelwort everywhere in Cornwall last week, although I don’t see it round here in the South. We did our regular picnic cycle yesterday to Barlavington church with its glorious views up to Barlavington hanger which we see in the distance from the bottom of our wildflower meadow (which is looking amazing). The church is quite plain but it is interesting to us as inside is a framed yellowed newspaper page all about the church and surroundings written by the little-known poet Ted Walker who also happened to be husband Simon’s English teacher. Cycling home along the long bridleway from Sutton village to our village of Fittleworth the scent of wild roses was beautiful. Down in my woodland edge I trained a wild rose seedling up an old spindle tree and that is now properly flowering for the first time so yesterday I moved an old oak bench (made by Norbury Park Sawmill near Box Hill in Surrey) to underneath the big Acer so I can sit in the shade and smell the roses. Happy Solstice BB. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWe had Navalwort advancing on the rocky banks down the hill behind our old house. It took it 30 years to get from top to bottom! Barlavington Church looks very interesting, and so pretty too. How lovely there is the connection between your husband's English Teacher/poet and the church. The wild roses are beautiful here too, and the Paul's Himalayan Musk someone once planted and which scrambles up through an Ash tree is stunning. I knew this house had my name on it when I saw that for the first time - I left an absolutely enormous one (grown the width of the garden) behind at our old house. Happy Solstice to you too Sarah xx
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting ruins. I love how things find nooks and crannies to grow in.
ReplyDeleteVery strange carving.
God bless.
Henry VIII had a lot to answer for with the Dissolusion of the Monasteries. Carving possibly unique . . .
ReplyDeleteYou have the most amazing ruins there! I love the way the bench is tucked into that 'swirl' of stone.
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