RootsChat.Com
Family History Documents and Artefacts => Graveyards and Gravestones => Topic started by: Dawn-Ann on Monday 08 February 10 06:21 GMT (UK)
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Hi all,
I'm a brand new member and I was browsing some of the fabulous threads here when it struck me that someone here may be able to answer this question for me.
I was examining an old Kirkpatrick mausoleum in Closeburn (Scotland) when I found this skull carved on one of the walls:
http://www.dawnann.com/blog/a-mystery-what-does-it-mean-this-skull-wearing-glasses/
Has anyone ever seen or heard of a skull wearing glasses before? The mausoleum was built in the mid-1700s. Did it mean that the Kirkpatricks were scholars? Or does it just display their sense of humour? :D
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No, but there is no reason why it should not be so depicted at this time, as glasses were certainly in use before that period. Having looked at the site and picture I do in fact have some doubt as to whether they are in fact glasses,as the style looks surprisingly modern. I wonder if it does in fact depict a deformity in the skull bones in the eye area?
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The deformity thing did cross my mind, too. If it is glasses, it's just the arm and not the frames. Still, the Kirkpatricks could have a bit of an irreverent sense of humor at times so I wouldn't be surprised if it were that, too.
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I think it is just an oversimplification of the cheek bones where the cheek muscles are attached. It does look like a swish pair of shades though--excuse the pun! Viktoria.
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I thought there was only one skull? ???
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O.K ---I think it is an oversimplification of the cheek bone where the cheek muscle would be attached, it does look like half a pair of swish shades though- excuse the pun---O.K now?
Viktoria.
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Sorry Viktoria, Apology offered. :-[
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No need to apologise Redroger----I had written my message in the plural when we could only see one side of the skull.
I was reading a book this evenind( even this evening) about Flanders and it talks about Charles V handing over the government of the Netherlands in 1555 to his son PhilipII( who married our Mary Tudor)and describes him " putting on his spectacles". I did not know spectacles were in use so early.Cheerio, Viktoria.
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In Europe spectacles were introduced in the late 13th century, Roger Bacon described the principle in 1268. Their use became quite widespread after the 1450s, cheap versions sold at markets by pedlars meant that their use was not uncommon even amongst the middle & working classes
Robert
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It is possible then that the skull was in fact depicted wearing spectacles.
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http://www.college-optometrists.org/index.aspx/pcms/site.college.What_We_Do.museyeum.online_exhibitions.spectacles.side/
Article of maybe some interest.
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http://www.college-optometrists.org/index.aspx/pcms/site.college.What_We_Do.museyeum.online_exhibitions.spectacles.side/
Article of maybe some interest.
Pat, thanks so much for this link. If you scroll down to the Kirkliston Gravestone bit you can see another skull with glasses - also in Scotland! This is definitely going in my blog. Thanks again!
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Glad to help. ;)