Cherubs

[matt94]

Hello

Can anyone tell me what a cherub on the back of a grave can symbolize? It is from about 1788 and its in Buckinghamshire

Matt

[groom]

Hi Matt

According to one site they mark the graves of children.

Jan

[matt94]

Well this grave is about 4ft 4in tall so I doubt it is a child's grave 

I can't make anything on it out but
[Cherub]
In Memory of
WILLIAM CUTLER

so I can't date it. And the Burial Registers at the church only know of one William (my gggggg grandfahter) buried in 1788 so that is the only one I can think of.

Here is a picture of the pair of graves, both having Cherubs but the second having more of a sunburst style, while that one has more a cloudy backdrop.

Matt

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there

Yes, it is a cherub, but its proper name is 'AMORINO' - A decorative cupids head or that of a winged cherub often found depicted on Hatchments (inside a church) or carved on Gravestones.

It represents the 'Soul' leaving the body.

The stone below is in the Churchyard of St John Sub Castro in Lewes:-

Three cherubs with outstretched wings surrounded by floral motif including oak leaves.

Notice how the late afternoon sun gives just the right shadows to make the symbols stand out - Incidentally the name on the stone is Nathaniel Taylor

Chris in 1066