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Family History Documents and Artefacts => Graveyards and Gravestones => Topic started by: Dawn-Ann on Monday 08 February 10 06:21 GMT (UK)

Title: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Dawn-Ann on Monday 08 February 10 06:21 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Redroger on Monday 08 February 10 21:02 GMT (UK)
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?
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Dawn-Ann on Monday 08 February 10 21:06 GMT (UK)
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.
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Viktoria on Monday 08 February 10 21:21 GMT (UK)
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.
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Redroger on Monday 08 February 10 21:25 GMT (UK)
I thought there was only one skull? ???
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Viktoria on Monday 08 February 10 21:52 GMT (UK)
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.
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 10 February 10 12:33 GMT (UK)
Sorry Viktoria, Apology offered. :-[
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Viktoria on Wednesday 10 February 10 21:49 GMT (UK)

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.
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: robbo43 on Wednesday 10 February 10 23:22 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 11 February 10 12:04 GMT (UK)
It is possible then that the skull was in fact depicted wearing spectacles.
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: PatB71 on Wednesday 28 April 10 12:54 BST (UK)
http://www.college-optometrists.org/index.aspx/pcms/site.college.What_We_Do.museyeum.online_exhibitions.spectacles.side/

Article of maybe some interest.
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: Dawn-Ann on Tuesday 11 May 10 00:01 BST (UK)
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!
Title: Re: Glasses-wearing skull
Post by: PatB71 on Tuesday 11 May 10 08:32 BST (UK)
Glad to help. ;)