Becky Wallower
@bwallower.bsky.social
1.2K followers 540 following 1.1K posts
archaeology, history, environment, quirky stuff -- love London, arts, travel -- writer, organiser, modest activist/stirrer 🏺
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Reposted by Becky Wallower
romanpalace.bsky.social
This might be the greenest thing we've ever seen.
💚
ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social
This extraordinarily vibrant green-glazed jar was made in China in the 8th century.
Reposted by Becky Wallower
mattpope.bsky.social
To mark the 959th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings here are four Sussex scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry:
1. Bosham Church.
2. The Norman invasion fleet sail into Pevensey.
3. Castle built at Hastings
4. Norman cavalry runs into the 'Malfosse', (yet to be located natural or defensive ditch) 🏺
Reposted by Becky Wallower
Reposted by Becky Wallower
worldwildlife.bsky.social
Cougar (Puma concolor): 240cm (94in). Aka Puma & Mountain Lion, this is a large felid native to the Americas spanning from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in South America. Super photo taken by Bill Marshall. #mountainlion #cougar #lion #nature #cat #wildlife #puma #bigcat #cats
bwallower.bsky.social
#TombTuesday
John, Lord Cheney: Chief Henchman to and knighted by Edw IV, Richard III (whose blow unhorsed him at Bosworth) and Henry VII.
JP for Dorset, MP for Wilts, Privy Councillor. And brother of Dean of @salisburycathedral.bsky.social, where he's buried.
Very generously covered in graffiti.
Sculpted in alabaster, John Cheney lies suppine on a decorated tomb chest, his feet on a lion, his head on a folded cloak. It's a long tomb, fitting for a man who was apparently a very tall 6'8". 
He wears long boots, a cloak and clothing of 15th C, with a sword at his sice. He has long hair, his eyes are partly open, and his hands are held in prayer over his chest. 
The alabaster has been subjected to carvers of graffiti for centuries
bwallower.bsky.social
Quite the experience. Almost too many ms (and frescos, sculpture, tiling, stonework... everywhere in Duomo) to take in - so gorgeous.
bwallower.bsky.social
Suspect she was quite lovely before she got squashed and mangled in pyroclastic flow and falling debris of Vesuvius.....
Reposted by Becky Wallower
bwallower.bsky.social
#AllMetalMonday
Silver bust of #Roman Empress Livia 59BC-AD29, found on shore at Herculaneum, likely taken by fugitive from AD79 eruption.
Divorced 1st husband Nero.
2nd, Octavius, became Emperor Augustus.
A key figure - but vile schemer or faithful adviser?
Said to love Prosecco.🥂
In Antiquarium 🏺
bwallower.bsky.social
Wonderful stuff.
Hope you got to enjoy the Cathedral (and its Piccolomini Library + manuscripts) today too....?
bwallower.bsky.social
Not really - just squashed in the catastrophic eruption and aftermath of Vesuvius. People of Herculaneum headed for coastal docks/beach hoping for rescue, and got buried in metres of solid pyroclastic materials and collapsing buildings. Someone was probably trying to save her.
bwallower.bsky.social
With that sort of history, she was naturally hugely famous and there are many, many images of her in stone/metal sculptures, and on coins/cameos too. Her two hairstyles especially recognisable.
bwallower.bsky.social
#AllMetalMonday
Silver bust of #Roman Empress Livia 59BC-AD29, found on shore at Herculaneum, likely taken by fugitive from AD79 eruption.
Divorced 1st husband Nero.
2nd, Octavius, became Emperor Augustus.
A key figure - but vile schemer or faithful adviser?
Said to love Prosecco.🥂
In Antiquarium 🏺
bwallower.bsky.social
Definitely worth the wait. Hope the Cathedral museum also in your plans - wonderful things....
Reposted by Becky Wallower
bwallower.bsky.social
Thanks very much for that helpful and fascinating addition.
helengittos.bsky.social
It's cool because double-sided and likely to be a fragment of a large-scale high-level screen with Christ on one side and a tree-scroll on the other. A great write up of it in @ascorpus.bsky.social vol. 10. chacklepie.com/ascorpus/cat...
bwallower.bsky.social
Thanks very much for that helpful and fascinating addition.
helengittos.bsky.social
It's cool because double-sided and likely to be a fragment of a large-scale high-level screen with Christ on one side and a tree-scroll on the other. A great write up of it in @ascorpus.bsky.social vol. 10. chacklepie.com/ascorpus/cat...
bwallower.bsky.social
#StoneworkSunday 🏺
#SundayStonework figure found c. 150 years ago in Bishop's garden @gloucestercathedral.org.uk is possibly sole remnant of #SaxonSunday Abbey founded there 7th C.
Cruciform halo indicates it is Christ, bird pos figure of holy spirit, border may show Byzantine/Carolingian influence.
A worn and damaged image carved in stone. A circle with a decorative motif frames a figure of Jesus Christ, evident from the cruciform halo behind the head. His hair is seen under a stole wrapped round his head  and down over his shoulders, but his face is damaged. On the left within the circle looking toward Christ is a large bird, which is thought to represent the Holy Spirit.
Reposted by Becky Wallower
bwallower.bsky.social
#CastleSaturday
15th C Aragonese Castle of Otranto: also title of 1st ever Gothic novel.

Horace Walpole's 1764 story played on medievalism + terror, generating a lasting tide of ghosts + ghouls.

He chose name as it was 'well sounding', not even aware of real castle on Puglian coast till 1786.
View of stone built 15th C Castle of Otranto with bridge leading over deep moat to gateway in wall. Huge round towers either side of bridge have bases slanting outwards into moat. Two round towers of Castle of Otranto, with bases sloping slightly outwards into moat. Only a few horizontal slit windows/openings penetrate the very solid stone walls.
bwallower.bsky.social
Lovely! Having a good trip by the looks of it....
bwallower.bsky.social
Neither did I - just goes to show: travel does broaden the mind!