Apotropaeic

[Gareth Hughes]

I get it now, B + V, This isnt just a bit of fun of you signing your initials in your youth??

They do however look nothing like any apotropaeic marks I have seen.

BV = Beata Virgine
MV = Maria Virgine

and combinations thereof

 

[Nemesis]

For a wider view of signs and symbols and symbolism - here's an intro:

http://www.rosslyntemplars.org.uk/Rosslyn_Symbolism.htm


http://shoreham.adur.org.uk/masons_marks.htm


http://www.eylhs.org.uk/Masons.pdf

And:

http://www.archaeoptics.co.uk/archives/category/featured-projects/

 

[andrew gayton]

the M with the strike through the middle section of the M - the V - making a 180o A probably means Ave Maria. 'Hail Mary' ??

 

[Jon Maine]

I get it now, B + V, This isnt just a bit of fun of you signing your initials in your youth??

They do however look nothing like any apotropaeic marks I have seen.

BV = Beata Virgine
MV = Maria Virgine

and combinations thereof

So it wasn't Biff then? :wink:

So that would run with the same sort of religous markings on the masons marks as the apotropaeic, I know there are certainly reference to the virgin Mary.

I have not come across Beata Virgine before, as the letters are on two seperate stones can we consider them together?

 

[biffvernon]

I don't think there is a B or a V. The patterns are not obviously alphabetical characters.

 

[Jon Maine]

At last some pictures!!

This detail is a close up of the scribe marks you can see in the lower area of the next picture

Upper section of left hand jamb around upper pintel height.

More to follow later

 

[Jon Maine]

Outside of latch jamb, look very closely and enlarge, if you can the area left of the burn mark ( which is between the bolt keep and latch keep ) needs enlarging to see a sequence of scribed markings and an inscription above.

The inside of the same jamb

 

[Ian Bond]

Those smoke marks are intriguing, Jon. What a wonderful thing to have.

Can't quite see the inscription though. Is it possible to post a link to the photo album page so we can see the full size images?

I came across this page on my travels:

It is the custom to carry the Eternal Flame home and use it to make the sign of the cross on the door frame in smoke. The smoke cross is left there throughout the year, symbolizing that the light of the Resurrection has blessed the home. The candles are used to light icon candelabra, and are put on the table for the midnight meal. The sight of hundreds of candle flames moving from churches to homes on that night is beautiful, indeed.

http://greekfood.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/easter_2.htm

Perhaps not for the same purpose, but a continuing tradition of marking door frames. Apart from the bit on the previous page perhaps:

On Holy Saturday, the Eternal Flame is brought to Greece by military jet, and is distributed to waiting Priests who carry it to their local churches. The event is always televised and if there's a threat of bad weather or a delay, the entire country agonizes until the flame arrives safely.

 

[Jon Maine]

Ian try this http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/jonmaine/john016_DxO.jpg

No jets here though

 

[Ian Bond]

Thanks Jon.

Still can't quite make it out. Can you see anything legible - letters, symbols?

I wonder what other mysteries remain to be uncovered in the house? Although you probably feel that you know every square inch by now!

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Those smoke marks are intriguing, Jon. What a wonderful thing to have.

Can't quite see the inscription though. Is it possible to post a link to the photo album page so we can see the full size images?

I came across this page on my travels:

It is the custom to carry the Eternal Flame home and use it to make the sign of the cross on the door frame in smoke. The smoke cross is left there throughout the year, symbolizing that the light of the Resurrection has blessed the home. The candles are used to light icon candelabra, and are put on the table for the midnight meal. The sight of hundreds of candle flames moving from churches to homes on that night is beautiful, indeed.

http://greekfood.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/easter_2.htm

Perhaps not for the same purpose, but a continuing tradition of marking door frames.

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses,...The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:7, 12:13


Or at Epiphany:
http://community.beliefnet.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-7674.html

Marking the Lintel or Chalking the Door on Epiphany day.

For those who don't know how to do this:


L Peace be to this house and to all who enter here.
L A reading from Proverbs: "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
L Let us pray: Gracious God, as a shining star once guided the magi to the birthplace of the infant Jesus, so enable those who dwell here to be your light in the world; through Jesus Christ we pray.
C Amen.
Using chalk (hence, "Chalking the Door"), people are invited to inscribe the lintel of the home (the horizontal frame above the door) with the inscription shown below. The letters C M B come from the traditional (9th century) names for the "three kings" -- Caspar, Melchior & Balthazar. Some also suggest "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means "May Christ bless this dwelling!"
Each person is afforded a turn to make one or more of the marks:
20+C+M+B+08

L A reading from Isaiah: "The effect of righteousness is peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and quiet places."
People may join hands or extend their hands outward and upward (orans) for the prayers.
L Let us pray: Sovereign God, we pray that you will bless this home and all who live here with your gracious presence, that your love may be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light, and your peace our benediction; through Jesus Christ we pray.
C Amen.
L Lord, remember your children and teach us to pray:
C Our Father...
People may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of their baptism.
L May the Lord watch + over our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and forevermore.
C Amen.
+ + +

If you do it, it will make your guests wonder what you've been up to (and possibly be reported to Homeland Security!)

 

[Jon Maine]

Its quite unbelievable that when almost fully put back together we still made a significant find.

I will try to take a close up picture of the detail in question but it may require borrowing a camera.

 

[KayW]

View attachment 2View attachment 1View attachment 2

Thought these might be of interest as the scorch marks look similar. Found on my 16c timber frame - I thought as well initially that they were just vandalism - someone lighting a match on the frame but it seems they have more meaning. They are quite deep and somene had lime plastered to fill the indentations - I have been carefully removing the lime plaster.

There is also a scorch mark before this painted/scorched inscription - not sure whether it is latin but is over a window/door. It needs a bit of cleaning up before it is readable. There are layers of lime wash still covering some of the lettering. If anyone has any advice I would love to know how to conserve it. It was under layers of wall paper and framework and plasterboard and I am a bit worried it may fade in the sunlight.

Also have some scratch markings but will need to take a picture at the weekend that look like male/female symbols.

 

[Jon Maine]

Could well be the same sort of thing, lot of them isnt there!! I thought 7 on my door frame was busy. Would love to see the pictures of the markings too. I have been warned about the candle burns could have been caused by being in a place a candle was regularly used.Certainly not the case with my door frame and I suspect not with yours.

Where abouts do they figure on the frame in relation to the structure and layout of the building?

 

[KayW]

Hello

On a vertical timber upstairs next to the window on the front wall plate of the house - sorry dont know the technical name - Will try and provide a wider angled picture over the weekend!

Any ideas about the inscription?

 

[Jon Maine]

Doorways were regarded as portals spirits or witches could use so possibly it is apotropaeic, or as Gareth points out a lot of religious comments appear on doors to. Again it could equally be something else, it looks impressive though.

Some clearer pictures would help, I have the details of a couple of experts in decoration and apotropaeic markings so when you have all of the information together they perhaps may give their opinions. Perhaps it would pay to collect as much information as possible as your work progresses as I am almost certain you will surprise yourself as to what will be found.

Can we have more pictures of thhe cottage?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Ooh I think I may have one too. This is a burn mark in the middle of my fireplace beam:



It's a bit high for a carelessly placed poker. Can't see any other markings though.

 

[Jon Maine]

It looks a typical marking to me.

Have you checked elsewhere in the house?

 

[Ian Bond]

KayW - another wonderful discovery.

I think that it is indeed latin, and a rough translation is .....

"Please mind your head".

(what's latin for "I'll get me coat?")

 

[Carol]

Oooh! We've got almost identical burn marks to yours, Jon! I was told by an expert who visited that they were made by careless rushlight users. Apparently the rushlight were stuck to the wood by the soft tallow non-burning end and would occasionally scorch the beam if they were allowed to burn right down. Perhaps we in Somerset are and always have been careless! We have groups of five or six marks in several places upstairs, but none downstairs, Not entirely convinced by this explanation but perhaps others know better!

We also have scratched circles with A V M interwoven initials-Ave Maria Virgine we think?

Wonder if there is enough material for a Somerset study?