Cemetery Faces

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

Think they're used to keep chavs away aren't they! ;)

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Originally Posted by scrufftyguy

Think they're used to keep chavs away aren't they! ;)

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Tiny heads with brains of stone, I think the chavs would feel comfortable with them!:lol:

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:Ve..._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.

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

Man, you just know there's some twisted lunatic with an axe, or the grim reaper lurking somewhere in those shadows...

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Man, you just know there's some twisted lunatic with an axe

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Naw, I just had a shovel and a crowbar.

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

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:

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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.

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Cool as f*ck - I love 'em!

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Spod

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

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