A rather splendid Eistedfodd chair.
DO NOT scroll down if you are easily offended. This is a Sheela-na-gig - a stone carving of a woman displaying her genitals . . . This one was better preserved than most as it was hidden beneath the threshold of the church.
Mesolithic finds.
It is well worth visiting Cardiff Museum, which has some amazing examples of gold torcs like this, and other archaeology.
We reach the Romans.
Those Mortimers again. At least this possibly Celtic era head survived.
In case you can't read it (not very clear), this very expensive top-of-the-range toilet was kept locked away as the father of the house considered it unhygenic, and insisted that his family used the long drop toilet at the end of the garden instead . . . Originally it was thought that this was Kilvert's loo, but then paperwork proved otherwise.
The "separated shoes" bottom left were in fact Ox Shoes, which were fitted to cattle before they were taken to the London markets. The Drovers Roads which were used still exist.
A cheeky looking shepherd and some branding irons once used on sheep.
More heavy rain overnight last night and when I emptied a tub of weeds earlier, draining the water off into a watering can, I got a gallon of rainwater!
Enjoy your weekend.
What a very interesting museum. Love the "modern" toilet.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I was telling the curator that when we used to go and stay with Keith's mum in Manchester, there were toilets like these offered for sale in antique shop windows in Stockport . . .
DeleteAn interesting post--although I find that I am more interested in items crafted from wood or fabric than worked in stone. Surely the stone is more durable and lasting.
ReplyDeleteI had to do a quick research of Eisteddfod--both the chair and the festival.
Are they mainly collector's items or --if you had one--would you sit in it?
I like the photo of the shepherd--I suppose his name hasn't come down--I have a number of vintage studio photos, all of unknowns--I look at them from time to time wondering about the individuals and how they came to be in a family's keepsakes.
They do turn up for sale but are for looking at rather than sitting on!!
DeleteNo name to the shepherd, but I think he looks a real character with a good sense of humour.
I enjoyed our off-blog chat about the vintage photos.
Definitely worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about it the Shelagh na gig represents the power of women...
Oh absolutely - but the church did anything in their power to denigrate women and I am sure this was put up to warn the illiterate poor about the dangers of lust!! It was a weakness - from the viewpoint of celibate clergy anyway!!!
DeleteThere seems to be be quite a number of clergy who did not take their vows of celibacy very seriously, which may taint their viewpoints.
DeleteSuch an interesting museum. Kilpeck Church has a Sheela-na- gig!
ReplyDeleteSmaller and higher up!!, but yes, it does indeed.
Delete"Hidden beneath the threshold of a church...." Now this picture gave me the biggest giggle I've had in awhile, Bovey. Thank you for that! :-D ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think it was put there in the Reformation. . .
DeleteI see the place at the traffic lights every time I come out of the junction opposite and often think I should go in. I think the stone final is too small for the Top of a stone rood screen for you to see it, roods I have seen tend to he a lot bigger.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a good little museum, and worth checking out. Of course it has a good history of the town in its Spa days. I agree with you and think the little "finial" went into a niche, rather than topping anything, as too small.
DeleteLovely clear photos and a fascinating read. You followed the history through the museum so it was all clear. Sheela n Gigs will always hold interest but visuality and control through fear is probably the answer. Down in an Essex church in the porch there is the two raven's of Odin decorating the column. Paganism and Christianity overlap and also a practical side on the part of church builders to use all the stones in the vicinity.
ReplyDeleteThe only bit I missed out was the Spa history of the town and there was a good display of old photos. I have to say, when you look at the number of illegitimate births in the parish registers down the years, I think the Sheela na Nigs got taken down too soon!! Ooh, two Ravens on that column in the Christian church sound interesting. I've just looked it up and it's Great Canfield. Thanks for mentioning it.
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