18th Century Green Man

[poliphilo]

A Green Man.

But I've never seen a Green Man on an 18th century headstone before. The date of execution could be 1703- when the husband died or 1731- when his wife did. The relative sophistication of the design makes me lean to the later date.

This particular Green Man has flowers- probably roses- coming out of his mouth. This also is unusual. Usually Green Men just spew leaves and tendrils and other green stuff. He's to be found at St. Mary's, Barcombe- a mile or so outside Lewes in East Sussex.

Here's the whole, very busy, composition.

Comments

[sovay]

This particular Green Man has flowers- probably roses- coming out of his mouth.

That's really neat. Can you find anything written about it?

[poliphilo]

Interest in old gravestones is mainly genealogical. Very little has ever been written about them as artworks.

I did a bit of googling to see whether anyone had ever noticed this one before and came up with nothing.

[cmcmck]

Rather fine, this one!

[poliphilo]

It's some forgotten rural mason's masterwork.

[athenais]

Oh, that is really handsome! And in good shape for a gravestone on the order of 300 years old.

[poliphilo]

It may have helped its preservation that Victorian restorers dug it up and built it into a wall.