Depictions in Marble and Stone

I am always awestruck by the astounding talent of artists and the intricacy of detail in statuary. Some of the most beautiful statues are found in the Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno, an extensive cemetery located on a hillside in the district of Staglieno of Genoa, Italy. Covering an area of more than a square kilometre, it is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe and is famous for its monument sculpture.

The tomb of the Consigliere family is attended by a woman praying on her knees. The sculpture was created by Luigi Orengo who worked extensively with funerary sculpture, especially in the Cemetery of Staglieno where he created dozens of tombs and funeral graves. The mausoleum is decorated with laurel leaves representing the “evergreen” memory of the deceased, and a Greek cross with four arms equal in length which is the traditional symbol of Christian faith.

 

This sculptural group was created in bronze and Carrara marble by Mariano Benlliure. The sculpture represents the funeral procession of the famous bullfighter Joselito el Gallo. The body of the deceased is carved in marble to highlight the figure. At the head of the procession a woman carries a bronze miniature of the Virgin Macarena to whom the bullfighter was very devoted.
Cemetery of San Fernando, Seville, Spain

 

I can’t find any source information on this second representation of a funeral procession. It is recorded as ‘Christ going to the tomb’, but I have no confirmation of this data. Translation of the script reads; Proceeding towards the resurrection.
Cemetery Viersen, Germany

 

This statue depicts a WWI soldier ‘s grave. Luigi Fossati (31-1-1896 – 28-10-1918) who lost his life in the battle of Somme in the Montello hills of Italy. Translation of the dedication reads: Gloomy night enveloped the heroic soul of Luigi Fussati who experienced unspeakable torments under the red dust of the Montello.
Momma and brothers Giullo, Pietro, Giuseppe, Arialdo.
In everlasting memory.
Cimitero Monumentale, Milano, Italy.

 

This large monument is the burial site of lawyer LLoyd Tevis who was also a successful American business man who headed the Wells Fargo Banking and Pony Express lines for more than 20 years. The “Tevis Cup”, an equestrian endurance ride held annually which requires riders to make the 100 mile Pony Express journey from Tahoe to Auburn in one day is named for him.
Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, CA, USA.

 

Charles-Joseph Pigeon (29 March 1838 – 18 March 1915) became famous due to his invention and manufacture in 1884 of the Pigeon lamp, a non-exploding gasoline lamp. He commissioned the family grave sculpture to hold up to 18 family members. The sculpture is a life-sized image of Pigeon holding a notebook and pencil in his hand. An angel overlooks the vignette of him as he lays beside his wife on a bed.
Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris, France

 

This marble sculpture entitled “The separation of the couple” is not a funerary monument. Until 1965 it was situated in the garden of Luxembourg and was removed because it was considered obscene. I guess they thought the dead wouldn’t mind the obscenity.
Montparnasse Cemitiere, Paris, France

 

Heinrich Schaub, born 5 May 1843, died 29 Jan 1909
Schaub commissioned Leipzig architect Emil Franz Hänsel to design a tomb which was sculpted by Otto Wutzler and August Rantz. The monument features fluted pillars and a bronze framed bronze door. A bronze sculpture of a youth kneels in front of a door  representing the eternal kingdom of the dead.
Südfriedhof Cemetery, Leipzig. Germany

 

The figure which rests upon the Burrano tomb was sculpted by Piero da Verona.
Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa, Italy

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Daughters of the American Revolution

The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890. Any woman 18 or older, who can prove a lineal bloodline descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. For a grave to have a marker, the markers must be officially approved.

Source: https://blog.dar.org/dar-revolutionary-war-grave-markers

The D.A.R. promotes patriotism, preservation of American history, and education.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44334678

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jade19721/3474246852/

Source: https://mnprairieroots.com/2017/04/27/exploring-the-aged-oak-ridge-cemetery-in-faribault/oak-ridge-cemetery-67-sarah-american-revolution/

Source: http://www.theartofgenealogy.com/2012/10/daughters-of-american-revolution.html

D.A.R. members have placed thousands of markers at the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers, patriots, and their wives, daughters and Real Daughters; “To perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence by the acquisition and protection of historical spots and the erection of monuments…”

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42344464/thomas-lamoreaux

Source: https://www.geni.com/people/Ens-Thomas-Lamoreaux/6000000003937579690

Source: https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/revolutionary-soldier-finally-honored-in-the-back-mountain-1.2224600

A marker for Thomas Lamoreaux’s  service in the War of 1812, was dedicated on October 29, 1932. A second marker identifies; Revolutionary War Soldier & Patriot / Thomas Lamoreux (Lamoreaux) / Ensign Orange County Militia, NY / Signed Articles Of Association / Born Circa 1745 – Died 5 October 1829 / Marker Placed By / Wyoming Valley Chapter NRDAR / 2017

John Mayo

John Mayo, the first representative from Harwich to the general court in 1711 is buried in Brewster Old Burying Ground, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Aged 70 years at the time of his death he was born in 1655 in Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York.

His grave is marked with a table gravestone and a dedication engraved in stone which was cleaned in 2006. John Mayo / Died Feb 1, 1725 / Et. 70 Years / First Representative To The General / Court From The Town Of Harwich
Note: Old English abbreviation Et. or Aet means ‘aged’.

He was representative of the general court for six years and the town treasurer for three years.

John’s wife, Hannah Freeman, was a direct descendant of Mayflower passengers William Brewster & Mary Wentworth. Hannah was born in 1665 and died in 1743.

Here Lyes Y Body / Of Mrs Hannah / Mayo Relict Of / Mr. John Mayo / Who Died February / Y 15^th 1743 + In Y / 80^th Year Of Her Age.
Translated as, Here lies the body of Mrs. Hannah Mayo widow of Mr. John Mayo who died February the 15th 1743 + in the 80th  year of her age.

We Will Remember Them

These images of metal markers in the shape of the maple leaf are located in Victorian Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines, ON, Canada. The marker contains the official badge of the Canadian Legion and motto, “Memoriam eorum retinebimus”, We Will Remember Them.

Source: Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57156785@N02/19545864284/in/photostream/

The markers are also holders for Canadian flags in commemoration of St. Catharine’s war veterans.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57156785@N02/19545864284/in/photostream/

Source: Source:https://www.flickr.com/photos/57156785@N02/19545864284/in/photostream/

Source: Source:https://www.flickr.com/photos/57156785@N02/19545864284/in/photostream/

Miss Baker, Space Monkey

The gravestone outside the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, frequently has bananas placed on it.

The stone is a memorial to a squirrel monkey who in 1959 was one of the first two animals that were launched into space by the United States and safely returned. The monkey purchased at a pet shop in Miami, Florida, was named Miss Baker due to its docile manner during testing and monitoring to ensure its suitability to the environment of space.

Miss Baker wore a helmet lined with rubber and chamois leather plus a jacket for the launch. A respiration meter was affixed to her nose with model cement, and she was fitted into a snug capsule of shoebox size insulated with rubber and fiberglass. Life support was an oxygen bottle with a pressure valve, and lithium hydroxide to absorb exhaled carbon dioxide and moisture. One cannot imagine the terror that animal endured.

On May 28, 1959, Miss Baker and her companion Miss Able rocketed to an altitude of 300 miles for a 16-minute flight which also included 9 minutes of weightlessness. The capsule was recovered near Puerto Rico.

 

Thereafter Miss Baker lived at the Naval Aerospace Medical Center in Pensacola, Florida until 1971 when she was moved to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville where she entertained museum visitors.

Miss Baker died of kidney failure in 1984 at a clinic at Auburn University after attaining the record for oldest living squirrel monkey.

Old Pentland Kirkyard

Just back from Scotland where I discovered this ancient graveyard on the outskirts of Edinburgh: Old Pentland Cemetery, Damhead, Midlothian.

This cemetery was once home to a 13^th century church which served the parish. A small watch house (a guard house to prevent grave robbing) inside the gates contains two stones known as the Arnold stones discovered in 1856 by Thomas Arnold. Chiselled into the stones are a Fleury cross, a calvary cross base and a sword. The cemetery is owned by the Gibsone Trust.

Within the only mausoleum on the grounds is a plaque with two angels flanking the Gibsone family crest and a dedication inscribed: Sacred to the memory of the late Sir John Gibsone of Pentland Bart who died March 1781 aged 48? Years. He was endowed with every virtue which became the Christian, the Gentleman, and the Scholar and died universally respected and lamented.
He married May 1774, Henrietta, eldest daughter of James Watson of Saughton and Lady Helen Hope who died 8^th of March 1803 aged 63 years. This is erected by their only child Mrs. Helen Gibsone of Pentland.
Also in memory of Mrs. Helen Gibsone of Pentland only daughter and heiress of the above Sir John Gibsone who died 24th October 1843 In her 69^th year.
And in loving remembrance of Jack Gibsone, Laird of Pentland, who died 30^th December 1992, aged 84 years, a true gentle man.

Many of the inscriptions on the headstones have been eroded due to the weather or completely obliterated.

Erected to the memory of Andrew Finlayson late Mason at Loudon Burn who died the 8^th October 1811, aged 55 years.
Also lies here Anne Finlayson his mother who died the 16^th March 1755, aged 61 years and Andrew Finlayson his father who died 12 of November 1787 , aged 50 years.

Here lies Robert Umpherston tenant in Pentland who died March 2^nd 1624 aged 31.

Here lies the dust of McJohn McNeil preacher of the gospel at Loanhead who died Dec 1702? in the 66 year of his age. A ? adherent to the covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland in principle in practice and ? witness against ………..

The corps of Charles Brown who departed this …1661…..

Here lies Archibald Grieve preacher of the gospel licensed by the Reformed Presbytery at Peebles , June the 7^th and who died at Pentland much lamented Oct 3^rd 1760, aged 26 years.
How soon this rising star did disappear He fell the church did mourn and friends did dear.

Apparently women did not outlive their husbands in the 17th and 18th centuries as evidenced by the following markers.

Here lies James Pennycook shepherd and tenant in Leaps who died in Pentland Oct 14, 1761, aged 83 years.
Also his first spouse Janet Baillie who died Oct 1710. And Marion Hodge his next spouse who died April 13^th, 1732, aged 46 years.
Also two of his children Isobel and Elisabeth who died in their infancy.
Likewise his grandchild James Grinton who died March 1755 in the 8^th year of his age.

1793 Here lies interred the body of John Waterston who died June 16, 1792, aged 79 years. He was first married to Katharine Lumsdain by whom he had two children James & Janet Waterston, and afterwards to Jean Graham who died without issue. This stone was erected by James Waterston his son.
8 feet square of ground belongs to this stone

This stone was erected by James Barrowman Smith Reid Combs to the memory of Isabell Fowler his spouse who died Dec 15, 1788, aged 43 years.
Also Margaret Carens his second spouse who died March 18, 1806 aged 47 years.
Also four of his children who died young.
Also two of his grandchildren Isabell Simpson who died March 5 1810, aged 7 years and Jean Barrowman who died August 17, 18??…

In memory of Isabella Thomson wife of Charles Robertson, Bilston Inn died 6^th February 188? Aged 43 years and of the above Charles Robertson died at Silverburn 7^th April 1906 aged 69 years.
Also his son Hugh Lamond died 12^th April 1919 aged 34 years and his granddaughter Alison died 7^th October 1897 aged 10 months.
Mary Meldrum his 2^nd wife died 5^th February 1921 aged 77
Also Colour Sergeant Alexander Robertson 98^th Regiment and Catherine Robertson his sister who lie buried in St. Cuthberts Churchyard.

Milton Evergreen

Location: Milton, Ontario, Canada

The first burial in Evergreen Cemetery took place in 1881, and the current 26 acre site contains over 8600 burials. Loved ones are commemorated with statues, trees and memorial benches.

An annual Remembrance Day service is held at the Cenotaph and Cairn on November 11th at 11:00 a.m. by the Milton Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Source: https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6933528-milton-remembrance-day-services-set/

Within the cemetery are numerous carvings on aging and diseased trees, and trees destroyed by storms. The wooden sculptures were done by chain saw and fine detail was chiseled by hand. After completion the trees were coated with a protective sealant.

Carving by Jim Menken

Carving by Jim Menken

In memory of / Solomon Giddings / 1866-1914 / At Rest

Solomon Giddings was a quarryman/labourer who lived in Milton Heights and worked at the brick/limestone mills. He died at age of 49 from hepatitis.

He was married to Elizabeth Agnes Standen a member of the Anglican church, who died in 1946 at age 79 and is also interred in Milton Evergreen Cemetery. They had two daughters Emma and Gladys, and four sons Bert, Mark, Ernest and George.

Giddings Crescent in Milton was named after their son Bertie James Giddings from Milton Heights who was a private with the 164th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force during World War I. He enlisted in January 1916 and went to France in 1918. He was wounded in 1918 and lost an eye. Born in 1898, he died in 1974.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153960218/bertie-j-giddings