An 18th Century Last Judgement

[poliphilo]

This is a gravestone from the 1770s in the churchyard at Rotherfield (Sussex). I've seen the design before (did they have pattern books for monumental masons?) but this is a particularly well-preserved example.

The deceased is rising from his/her sarcophagus in the centre. To our right is Christ- also newly risen, holding a cross, with more people being resurrected at his feet. To our left an angel is blowing a trumpet and a tower is toppling.

Here are some details

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

There were masons' pattern books although it's also possible you were seeing work by the same mason.

Great fun!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That raises another question- just how local were the local masons? I've seen this design replicated in many different churchyards, but all- I think- in the South east.

Sometimes a mason's work (or the work of a school) is so distinctive you can recognise it when you come across it- usually in churchyards within a limited area.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

There's a well known Cornish mason whose work I always know instantly so yes, it's a good question- his work is all in and around Bodmin Moor.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

fascinating. Thanks for posting.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

That's so distinctive a design, I immediately remembered where I'd seen something similar in Dorset... The version in your picture is more sophisticated though.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's very much the same pose. I think the two masons must have been working from the same design.