Victorian putti

In ancient classical civilizations putti - naked or winged cherubs - were associated with Eros and Cupid. When they re-appeared in the Renaissance their form was similar to the earlier manifestation but they were ascribed a very different character, becoming more akin to angels. In English church architecture they appear particularly in wood carving, stained glass, on funerary monuments and gravestones. The four depicted above are in the quatrefoil at the top of a Victorian stained glass window in the church of St Lawrence, Weston under Penyard, in Herefordshire.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Churchyard putti

One of the characteristics of Lincolnshire churchyards is the limestone gravestones of the latter part of the eighteenth century and the early nineteenth century. These heavy slabs, once set vertically but now often leaning alarmingly, carry the usual details of the deceased. However, they also feature the decorative carving that was fashionable at the time. This includes swags, cartouches, leaves, paterae and putti in profusion. Putti (singular "putto") are cherubic heads with wings.They are said to represent the omnipresence of God. The pair above are in a Stamford, Lincolnshire, churchyard. The weathering of the stone is slowly wearing away the detail but enough remains to identify the subject.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100