Author Topic: Stonework, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.  (Read 27314 times)

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Offline Trojan

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Stonework, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.
« on: September 15, 2010, 06:31:04 am »
I was wondering what the gargoyles (if they are gargoyles) on Trinity Church represent? One looks like the head of a King, and another the head of a female.

I found this explanation which relates to the grotesque gargoyles in the bottom photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle

Any ideas or info welcome.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2010, 09:06:58 am by Ian »

Offline Ian

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2010, 10:45:20 am »
Stan might have some knowledge of those.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.


Offline Bellringer

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2010, 02:01:09 pm »
It's one of those things I have kept meaning to look into but never quite got round to it. Perhaps this is the prompt I needed.

I will see what I can do.

Offline Llechwedd

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2010, 02:14:56 pm »
Maybe they are just bog standard gargoyles i.e. no one in particular.  There's one on St. D ;David's cathedral the dead spit of Harold Wilson! ;D

Offline DaveR

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2010, 06:19:00 pm »
I photographed this one in the Marble Church in Bodelwyddan, great piece of work:

Stony faced? by SnakeCorp, on Flickr

Offline Fester

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2010, 10:46:06 pm »
Installing 'Gargoyles' on to religious buildings was a medieval device intended to frighted evel spirits away.
They often doubled as drainage channels and water spouts from lead guttering.

What you have photographed are actually ordinary ornate sculptures, which were usually of Saints,  but if not are usually something to do with the monarchy of the day, the patrons of the cathedral or church,  ...or sometimes even the stone-masons themselves who carved them.

There are actually some hilarious ones inside Selby Abbey, Yorkshire ....where the masons carved out characatures of the monks who lived there in obscene poses....and hid them round corners where they wouldn't be discovered for a while.

 
Fester...
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Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2010, 06:52:27 am »
Trago Mills stores in Devon / Cornwall has gargoyles modelled on the local politicians due to a long standing battle with the local council _))* seems like a good idea :D
A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

Offline Llechwedd

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Stonwork, Masonery and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2010, 01:48:35 pm »
Went round the Orme to look at what they are doing with the new building at Abbey Lodge.  I was amazed to see what looks like a circle of standing stones between what will be the house and the cliffs edge.  Anyone know if it is genuine?  Is it on any old maps?  Few feet away from what is left of the Bishop's Palace so don't know if access to public is available.  Hopefully if it is genuine there is some sort of preservation order on it.  Maybe it's just a folly? ???

Offline Ian

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Stonwork, Masonery and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2010, 02:58:48 pm »
A place to natter about interesting constructions and erections...
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Quiggs

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Re: Stonwork, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2010, 03:24:59 pm »
I think you could have phrased that a little differently!      _))* :laugh:
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Offline Ian

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Re: Stonwork, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2010, 03:35:13 pm »
Errr...now you come to mention it  :o :o
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Trojan

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Re: Stonwork, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2010, 11:24:52 pm »
 _))* You got that one in before me Quiggs.

However, I have a feeling that Ian's tongue may have been planted firmly in his cheek when he typed that sentence.  :leer:


Offline Ian

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Re: Stonwork, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2010, 08:37:14 am »
 WWW
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Yorkie

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Re: Stonwork, Masonry and buildings - ancient and modern.
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2010, 05:05:33 pm »
_))* You got that one in before me Quiggs.

However, I have a feeling that Ian's tongue may have been planted firmly in his cheek when he typed that sentence.  :leer:

He obviously had a hand on in it!      L0L

Yorkie

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Re: Gargoyles
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2010, 05:08:28 pm »
Trago Mills stores in Devon / Cornwall has gargoyles modelled on the local politicians due to a long standing battle with the local council _))* seems like a good idea :D

Reproduction Gargoyles are available in the National Trust shop at Penrhryn Castle, which is a nice day out and not so far to go!        $wales