"Occupational" designs on Tree Shaped Tombstones are always nice. Here is an easy one:
Mr. Ostrovsky clearly worked for the streetcar company. Now a slightly tougher one:
Was Mr. Mesce a carpenter or a stone mason? The form of these tools is just a bit unfamiliar.
Ready for a really tough one? Like me you looked at this magnificent specimen and thought: Railroad Employee.
Look closer. See the odd stuff going on at the front of the locomotive?
The sad story of Matej Sidlo was found in a 2010 edition of the Friends of the Bohemian National Cemetery newsletter. Matej (Matthew in Anglicized version) was driving a beer delivery wagon that was hit by a train. Those are kegs flying! I must confess to being a little surprised that his family would chose to preserve this tragic memory in the permanence of stone.
Here's one that is probably not an occupational design.
I have seen a few of these around....once in France of all places. Sure, the guy could have been a wheelwright or a teamster but these wheels always have a break in the top. I suspect it is intentional imagery. "May the Circle Be Unbroken" sort of sentiments.
Below is an odd little detail that I can't explain. You sometimes see monuments with this network of holes drilled out. It does not appear to be mimicing anything in nature. I wonder if these were designed with the thought that flowers could be stuck into them?
It is always a treat to find an entirely new format for Tree Shaped Tombstones. At Bohemian National I encountered a number of monuments with branches crossing up top. I don't remember seeing this anywhere else.
A monument for Edward and Anna Hanzelin.
Anna does not look happy in this picture.
High arching branches.
Here is a very fancy version. It actually has two uprights and a cross branch.
One of the nicer, and larger, doves I have run across.
Maybe a quarryman? The rougher chisel and Hammer seem like something I've seen before.
ReplyDeleteThat was my suspicion as well. T
ReplyDeleteCompletely off topic, but I came across a book in the library which will probably interest you
ReplyDeleteMax Adams
In the Land of Giants
Published last year. Derived from a series of (mostly) hikes focused on early Britain and Ireland (boat and motorcycle also figure). He does a bit of the Wall, among other places. No index, so I don't know if Vinolanda appears, but the general topic seems right up your angiportus.
Thanks Jeff. Britain is so stinkin' with history that you can find it everywhere but a bit of focus always helps. As I am at a point where there is more travel miles in the rear view mirror than on the road ahead I am finding a need to be more selective. Each journey undertaken is another road not to be traveled......
ReplyDeleteT