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Spod
27-06-2009, 21:32
I know these aren't great photos and I know I could probably cheat and google the answer, but y'know....

As I couldn't sleep and it was damp and dark and foggy this morning I went for a walk in a cemetery, as you do. Disappointed by the lack of choreographed dance routines from the residents (they've no sense of occasion!), I couldn't help but notice the two chapels(?) had lots of little sculpted heads on them.

And not cheery, "we're going to meet Jesus, hallelujah" faces either.

Bit weird, anybody know - what gives?:scratch:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2073/dsc01962y.jpghttp://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9644/dsc01963a.jpg
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8711/dsc01979.jpghttp://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2452/dsc01990l.jpg

scrufftyguy
27-06-2009, 21:37
Think they're used to keep chavs away aren't they! ;)

Spod
27-06-2009, 22:13
Think they're used to keep chavs away aren't they! ;)Tiny heads with brains of stone, I think the chavs would feel comfortable with them!:lol:

Marco
27-06-2009, 23:24
Great pics - just my sort of thing, as I have rather macabre photographic sensibilities (and mindset) ;)

Are they Gargoyles? I'm not an expert. However they also remind me of my favourite things to put in an old garden: statues of Griffins.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_-_Statue_of_a_griffin.jpg

They're more than a little bizarre and quite spooky, especially covered with a touch of accumulated verdigris, but that's right up my street. Think 1970s Hammer House of Horror! Muhahahaha... :eyebrows:

Marco.

Spod
28-06-2009, 00:35
Definitely not gargoyles, there were a few of them around in there as well.

These definitely seemed to be depictions of real people, tormented ones at that. But why? Seems bizarre.

Not exactly a low population cemetery either...

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4208/dsc01995z.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/6324/dsc01954n.jpg

Marco
28-06-2009, 00:46
Man, you just know there's some twisted lunatic with an axe, or the grim reaper lurking somewhere in those shadows...

Marco.

Spod
28-06-2009, 01:46
Man, you just know there's some twisted lunatic with an axeNaw, I just had a shovel and a crowbar.

scrufftyguy
28-06-2009, 08:03
Hi again, I always had them down as gargoyles too, and thought they're supposed to ward off evil spirits, but could be wrong. Maybe something to do with the stone masons (like a signature) or depictions of whoever put money into building the church?!

Great snaps by the way!

Ade

Marco
28-06-2009, 15:33
Having done some research, those dudes are most certainly gargoyles - observe:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle

They're positioned on gutters (and the like) to dissipate water, as highlighted in Wiki:


In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building.


Cool as f*ck - I love 'em!

Marco.

Spectral Morn
28-06-2009, 16:32
Definitely not gargoyles, there were a few of them around in there as well.

These definitely seemed to be depictions of real people, tormented ones at that. But why? Seems bizarre.

Not exactly a low population cemetery either...

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4208/dsc01995z.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/6324/dsc01954n.jpg


I'll have to dig out the Garlic and stakes....urrrrrrrrrr wheres the Count ?

Spod
28-06-2009, 17:12
Having done some research, those dudes are most certainly gargoyles - observe:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle

They're positioned on gutters (and the like) to dissipate water, as highlighted in Wiki:

Cool as f*ck - I love 'em!

Marco.

I always had gargoyles down as ogre-like, and there's certainly a few of them in the cemetery as well. But the first two I posted, plus a few others there, just looked like an angry bloke and a depressed bloke rather than "grotesque". Maybe they just had different standards back then!

Marco
28-06-2009, 17:17
I'll have to dig out the Garlic and stakes....urrrrrrrrrr wheres the Count ?


He's there - in the distance, behind the mist, coming ever closer... Absolute evil incarnate... :eyebrows:

Inhale the musky tang of Patchouli, as the light fades, and the blood drains from your body before you die...

Marco.

Stratmangler
29-06-2009, 00:40
You should be able to hear The Counts' presence.


One........hahahaha!!!!

Two.......hahahaha!!!!

Three.......hahahaha!!!!


Thinking 'bout it perhaps I've seen too much Sesame Street !

Chris:eyebrows:

Marco
29-06-2009, 08:15
What's "Sesame Street"? I've vaguely heard of it, but not having watched the programme, unfortunately, I don't get your joke :)

Marco.

Prince of Darkness
29-06-2009, 08:31
Sesame Street was an educational program aimed at young children, made by Jim Henson and featuring the Muppets.
Here is a clip featuring "The Count".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l7KbMVdN7E

Marco
29-06-2009, 08:35
Cheers, dude. Gotcha now.

As I don't have any young children it's not something I'd have watched :)

Marco.

symon
29-06-2009, 09:17
You've never watched Sesame Street!?! Wow, Marco, you have missed out...

Marco
02-07-2009, 07:25
Haha... The sheltered life I lead, eh? :lol:

Rest assured I will run off to WH Smith immediately and rectify the situation by buying the whole back catalogue on DVD!

Marco.