Photo: Chronica Domus
Today is All Souls' Day, a day to remember those that have gone before us. The occasion also provides me with an
I've already written other posts on the curious and sentimental art of mourning, found here, here, and here, so I won't go into too much detail on the subject. I will allow this handsome memento to speak for itself.
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Photo: Chronica Domus
This diminutive treasure is a mere two and a half inches in diameter, or five inches with its frame. Its imagery is composed of human hair which has been masterfully manipulated and arranged upon a thin slice if ivory backing. The background has been painted to show a river and hilly landscape. A pyramid or perhaps the top of an obelisk is visible beyond the hills. Typical symbols of mourning are represented by the weeping willow tree, the tomb upon a plinth, and a lone graceful urn. The poignant inscription on the tablet, to the right of the tomb, reads "C'est tout ce qui me reste", which roughly translates to "all that remains of me". Nothing else need be said to convey the affections of the loved one who commissioned this striking and dignified piece.
This is another example which I acquired in Holland though it was likely created in France. The mourning art is housed under glass in its original mahogany frame which has developed a warm patina over the ensuing years. I believe the memento dates to around 1830.
I expect many of you might well find this form of memorializing our dearly departed more than a little macabre, but I find the sentimentality behind the incorporated symbolism of such artworks not only pleasing, but rather fascinating.
If you'd enjoy learning more about this most personal form of artwork, I highly recommend you visit the Art of Mourning web site which is deftly curated by Hayden Peters, a fellow collector of mourning art and sentimental jewelry.
Hello CD, Another charming mourning piece, made yet more attractive by its diminutive size. We honor the dead by remembering them, and almost 200 years later, your stewardship of this artwork allows us to reflect on a life long past.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim,
DeleteYes, I've thought about this too, and how wonderful and strange it is to be sharing such artwork through the modern miracle of technology, whilst contemplating who this person may have been.
My All Soul's day event is having a lecture to remember our librarian at work, who lived and worked in our building for 50 years... and who is still here!
ReplyDeleteHello Meg,
DeleteThat's a lovely way to honor your librarian.
I find mourning art very attractive and have admired mourning jewelry occasionally displayed by some dealers. On the theme of mourning, we recently returned from attending a memorial/burial service at Arlington National Cemetery. The deceased was a dear family friend who was also a WWII veteran. His ashes were placed in a special drawer built into a ceremonial casket draped with the American flag. That casket was placed on a caisson drawn by six coal black horses each ridden by an officer. Six men in uniform walked behind the caisson and they were followed by a military band. When we arrived at the grave site, the band played Taps, and the honor guard shot three volleys from their rifles. Then the Marine guards folded the flag in that special triangular shape before presenting it to the family. The whole ceremony was inexpressibly moving.
ReplyDeleteBest,
KL Gaylin
Hello KL Gaylin,
DeleteOh, don't get me started on mourning jewelry. I long for a mourning ring - the type that shows similar scenes of mourning by a grave - and would take great delight in wearing it if I were fortunate enough to have such a lovely thing.
The memorial/burial service of your dear friend sounds to have been extremely moving and befitting of a WWII veteran with all the associated pageantry. Thank you for sharing.
CD,
ReplyDeleteHow lovely and what a treasure to own something made in 1830. The detail work is beautiful and the frame is so perfectly chosen. You do have some lovely antique treasures.
Karen
Thank you, Karen. I do so enjoy these little treasures and I'm fortunate to have an opportunity to look after them until the next owner takes over.
DeleteConcord grapes are hard to find fresh even in MA. They have seeds and many prefer their grapes seedless. Most of the crop is harvested for jelly and juice. If you are fortunate to dine some, they make a dandy pie.
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