Nymphs

Flower of fancy

Vanishing Dream

Destiny

Oblivion

 

Every time that I visit Chirk I admire these statues. I know they might not be to everybody's taste but I think they are magnificent. I particularly like the two which are placed next to each other which are called "Destiny" and "Vanishing Dream". 

They are in a naturalistic and symbolist style (apparently) and while the figures are nude for me the power of each sculpture is in the facial expressions and the symbolism. I don't understand the symbolism in each sculpture, for example why one is standing on a serpent, or another has her hands bound behind her back and another has her eyes bound with cloth, but they are elegant and beautifully crafted.

I have shared images of them before I know but today I have gone all out and shared several images and included shots of all four sculptures which I have not done before

They were made by Andrea Carlo Lucchesi who work predominantly in London. He died in 1924 aged 64. The sculptures collectively known as "The Nymphs" were owned by Lord and Lady Howard de Walden who leased Chirk Castle between 1911 and 1946 and were brought to the castle from the couple's London home. Originally they stood in the family's dining room until Lady Howard de Walden insisted they be moved to "a more appropriate location"

Fero da prora

This is such an iconic image from Venice.

The fero da prora is the ornament on the prow of the gondolas and as well as looking nice it is truly functional and the shape itself is symbolic.

The Fero is there to act as a counter balance to the gondolier who stands at the back of the gondola. That surprised me because it doesn't look that weighty but as it curves around the whole front of the boat it is more substantial than it appears at first glance.

A little research revealed that the S shape represents the Grand Canal that flows through the heart of the city, the six prongs facing forward represent the six districts of Venice while the prong pointing backwards apparently symbolises the island of Giudecca and the curved top represents the Doge's cap, while the inner curve at the top is said to symbolise the famous Rialto Bridge

In between the six prongs there are three additional items which represent the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

So what I thought was just a nice ornament actually is so much more, I am glad I took a few moments to find out and hopefully you will appreciate that effort.  More importantly I hope you like this picture as much as I do