30 May 2010

Pro vino

A few examples of grapes as headstone ornamentation. Grave Addiction states these to be representative of the blood of Christ, assuming these designs were chosen with symbolism in mind.

From Chappell Hill Masonic Cemetery:


This (sad) one also has a couple sprigs of...thistle?
 Mrs. Carrie E. Flewellen,
and
Infant Son
Died July 12, 1854
Aged
24 years
We will meet again


From Rome Cemetery:


Previously posted, from Forest Lawn Cemetery:

22 May 2010

P.S. Angel

This one comes from the Chappell Hill Masonic Cemetery and is another of my favorites. I didn't include it in the last post because it's so rich with content aside from angel representations. The whole headstone is an obelisk: the other sides that I photographed are rather bland in their imagery but this side...

We only know that thou hast gone,
and that the same relentless tide
which bore thee from us, still glides on,
and we who mourn thee with it glide.

The deceased is laid out on a funeral boat being guided over the water by an angel lightly touching the banner marked by a cross. A small torch lights the way.

A small Star of David tucked under the curve of the bow.

The other two faces of the obelisk:

The overall obelisk itself, rather fancy with the stylized drapery and flame:

But sadly, slighted damaged on the face that bears the epitaph:
Sacred to the memory of
my beloved wife,
Mary Ann Hudgins,
Born July 3, 1828,
Died Oct. 11, 1885,
Aged 57 yrs, 3 mos, 8 days

Angels

Obviously in cemeteries you're going to find a fair amount of religious imagery. This is a selection of some of the nice angel statues and carvings I've come across.

From St. Agnes Cemetery:

From Forest Hill Cemetery:
I love the giant feather. Here it is in its full context, with wide benches and a quote (Until the day break and the shadows disappear):

This next ornamental sphere is probably one of my absolute favorites:

A pair of angels outside a mausoleum's entrance: (The left one isn't too clear, thanks to the angle of the light.)



From the Chappell Hill Masonic Cemetery:

A sort of medieval-looking angel sitting on...possibly a casket/tomb or perhaps just a bench.
 

This stone for a Minnie Gregg Sharpton has an interesting prismatic shape, a semi-crouched angel, and a medieval-esque sort of flower.

Again, sorry for the angle of the lighting casting weird shadows. This one has a large-winged angel, but what really caught my eye was the name Mamie, which was also the name of my great-grandmother.

Related posts:
A few more names (first image, an angel from Assumption Cemetery)