SMM+S

hoolit · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 10:47 am Post subject: Walston Kirkyard

Walston Kirkyard, near Biggar
NT 057 456

One of my favourite gravestones. Unfortunately the name is no longer legible so I don't know the identity of this well heeled man. It's remarkably well preserved otherwise.

I find it interesting that in a cemetery full of memento mori graves he or his family have shunned the idea for a statement of his own wealth and status in life Very Happy

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 11:38 am Post subject:

The style of long jacket under the cloak / robe suggests late 17th Century or early 18th Century to me.

Perhaps he was a minister or judge or other such worthy? Without a name I suppose we'll never know.

There may be a clue in his hat though. It isn't a tricorn, I wonder if that shape may give us a profession?

Thanks

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

hoolit · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject:

I think you're right about the date. The stone you can see behind it is dated 1723.

I was wondering about the bonnet too, it seems somehow incongruous with the rest of his dress, and I always associate them with highland dress, but that might be wrong of me.

jimmcginlay · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

I'm possibly miles out here but my guess is he's a barber. The Barber's pole is an ancient symbol and the two poles which flank the figure have a distinct spiralling pattern. Also its difficult to see properly due to the weathering but it does look like he's grasping a blade in his hands with an asymmetrical point ending just below his chin and it may represent a large barber's razor (in larger than life scale!) . Not sure about the hat, I think Barber/Surgeons did not have a set uniform but would dress like the 'gentlemen' they treated when bloodletting etc. But there is an illustration of an ancient barber here with a hat which looks quite similar.
Finally his hair is gorgeous, Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen eat your heart out! Very Happy

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://90ways.com/images/Essay/bloodletting.jpg&imgrefurl=http://90ways.com/essayarchive/essay85.php&usg=___ifEFhMUlsA6_LItXXPxREFbSgs=&h=544&w=402&sz=70&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=Y-Kmyqox-kiUUM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbloodletting%2Bbarber%2Bancient%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject:

Jim

I can see the blade now. I thought he was praying and that was his cravat. That's partly what me think of a minister / judge.

Adam
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project