These items of footwear were called chopines in France and have been worn by ladies of elevated status since the middle-ages. They served the same purpose as pattens.
No 6: A Vajra. (Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond). A weapon which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
Great stuff Rog, I expect Mike will spot the other three when he's ready. I particularly liked the two hammers for the first bell with separate cams so it will strike twice within the peal. The vajra is also known by other names in other languages where Buddhism is followed. The prosthetic set is interesting in that if the tool-holder is used to replace the dummy-hand the tools may be set into it in either of three different directions.
(2) A lance head for use in the lists. A strike squarely on the breast plate would unseat the protagonist without doing any real damage. Alternatively ( and this depends on the size of the object) an arrow head for stunning game without damaging it.
(3) Quivers for carrying arrows.
(5) A pair of caryatids (although, strictly speaking, caryatids are female figures, and these are very male). These would have supported an overmantle above a large, open fireplace. Usually made of oak, although these appear to be of walnut. They are probably Italian, and appear to date from the mid/late sixteenth century.
Full marks on number 2 Mike. Number 3 are a pair of early pattens, ladies raised shoes designed to keep long skirts out of the mud and ordure on the streets of the times; pretty tricky to walk in I suspect. Correct on number 5 although the male form of caryatids are known by the latin word 'telamones' (one is a telamon); these are a C.19th pair.
No1: Cam driven clanger hammers
ReplyDeleteNo 4: Prosthetic hand ca 1760
No 6: A Vajra. (Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond). A weapon which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
Great stuff Rog, I expect Mike will spot the other three when he's ready. I particularly liked the two hammers for the first bell with separate cams so it will strike twice within the peal. The vajra is also known by other names in other languages where Buddhism is followed. The prosthetic set is interesting in that if the tool-holder is used to replace the dummy-hand the tools may be set into it in either of three different directions.
ReplyDelete(2) A lance head for use in the lists. A strike squarely on the breast plate would unseat the protagonist without doing any real damage.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively ( and this depends on the size of the object) an arrow head for stunning game without damaging it.
(3) Quivers for carrying arrows.
(5) A pair of caryatids (although, strictly speaking, caryatids are female figures, and these are very male). These would have supported an overmantle above a large, open fireplace. Usually made of oak, although these appear to be of walnut. They are probably Italian, and appear to date from the mid/late sixteenth century.
For the rest, I agree with Rog.
Full marks on number 2 Mike. Number 3 are a pair of early pattens, ladies raised shoes designed to keep long skirts out of the mud and ordure on the streets of the times; pretty tricky to walk in I suspect. Correct on number 5 although the male form of caryatids are known by the latin word 'telamones' (one is a telamon); these are a C.19th pair.
ReplyDelete