The ceramic galleries were marvelous but this three foot candlestick is actually what I went to find. You see it is in the book “A Children’s Story” by A S Byatt, I wrote about it a few months ago. The story begins with one of the characters in the West Kensington Museum (now called the Victoria and Albert Museum) drawing this very candlestick. He is an apprentice potter who has run away form the potteries and is living in the museum as a stowaway. He is captivated by this piece and all the faces and creatures and wants to make it in clay, so he draws it. And here it is on display in the Renaissance exhibition. Made between 1104 -13, it was commissioned by Abbot Peter and the monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, now Gloucester Cathedral and was probably for use on an alter. One of the inscriptions calls the candlestick a work of virtue and light and darkness.
And also, for your delight, a couple of close-up photographs of the bosses on a huge crucifix. Tiny enameled owls of no more than three centimeters, they will definitely end up on one of my pots! Have a look at Hannah McAndrews owl plate here, its gorgeous.
6 comments:
very unusual candlesticks and owls with such perky personality.
wow, talk about not being able to control your impulse to be overly ornate. nice owls though
Fascinating ... .
now, I must put this on my
'must see' list.
Jjj
**love those owls!
That is one very cool pair of candlesticks... totally my kind of thing! Thanks for sharing, it's given me a wealth of ideas :) That camera of yours isn't half bad is it?! xxx
It's facinating to see that candlestick. I've recently started to read 'A Children's Book'. I crept back up to bed with a cappuccino and the book this morning.The Bernard Palissy from your previous post is also mentioned.
Like that owl as well will watch out to see how you use that image.
Hi, I worked on the gloucester candlestick conservation before it went on display in the new galleries. It is one of my definite favourite objects. Absolute beauty!
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