endlessrarities | A Return to West Linton

Last night, I rushed home from the Writers' Group and arrived just in time to catch the last episode of BBC4's 'Ancient Greeks' series - 'Delphi: Bellybutton of the Ancient World'. Sigh. I much prefer the word 'omphalos'. It adds gravity to the concept.

The programme itself was excellent, and well worth catching!

I thought I'd take another trip to West Linton, and introduce you to some more early eighteenth century gravestones. I've got two more tonight - they caught my eye because the carvings were so clear, and so well-preserved, and because I was really impressed by the columns. They seem to be a rather whacky interpretation of the Ionian form, with little scrolls at the top. Here's the first one, with an ogee-type shape:-

I don't know what the winged motif is in this instance - it looks strangely reminiscent of a winged haggis!

The other side is much more run-of-the-mill, but charming nonetheless.

My other example again has the strange Ionian style columns:-

The inscription in this instance is still fairly well preserved, so the letters are fading fast. The other side of this particular gravestone again bears the usual motifs:-

It's at this point that you start to wonder if they were carved by the same hand. At the very least, they clearly respresent examples of the same craft school!

One last visit to West Linton tomorrow, and then I'll have to think of something else to write about!