Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: carving

It is believed that trade contacts with the Phoenicians existed from the late 10th century, and it is even assumed that Tartessos was located at this site. In addition to objects made of silver, copper, iron, ivory and stone, many thousands of fragments of clay vessels were found during excavations from around 900 to 770 B.C. in 1998. Huelva was probably an early Phoenician emporium and it was flourishing under the Carthaginians and Romans, who began to mine ore deposits. Under the Visigoths and Arabs, from whom the city was reconquered by Alfonso X the Wise in 1257, the city came to a standstill. In 1880 it still only had 13,000 inhabitants, then it grew fast. It owes its boom to the mineral deposits on the Rio Tinto (Minas de Riotinto), as from the last quarter of the 19th century, the town became a small British colony. The reason for this was the permission granted by the Spanish government in 1873 for the mines of Riotinto to be commercially developed and utilised by the Rio Tinto Company Limited. As a result, the town and its infrastructure began to grow and the sleepy little village became a modern industrial town of the 19th century and an elegant town in the first centuries of the 20th- The British also brought football to Spain, which led to the founding of the first football club in Spain - Recreativo Huelva - in 1889. The museum is very young and focuses on the impressive archaeological site of the province of Huelva with interesting exhibits from Roman and mining history. There is also an impressive collection of Spanish paintings. This fragment of a stele weighs 250 kg and is about 95 cm high. It is dated to the Bronze Age 2500 - 1000 BC. It depicts an anthropomorphic figure wearing a kind of diadem

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. A really breathtaking carving is just under this capital, decorated with a very symmetrical wave. There is a ring, going all around the pillar, consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. The ring, going all around the pillar, is consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. This is the second mystic strange carving on the southern tower, about the relationship between humans and animals. This one is even more mysterious. Two goats and a hanged man. The beam of the gallow is rather long, probably this was a "public gallow". A few of these gallows still exist. Here is one in Germany: www.flickr.com/photos/gummiteufelchen/3360089792/ The hands of the hanged man are obviously enchained behind his back, his neck is broken, the face is horiziontal. His life has definitely ended. Are the two goats on his sides trying to cut him off the gallow? Are they climbing up? Or are the two goats dancing and playing with the corpse? Or are the two goats delegates of the devil, who is very often connected to goats (and even often has goat feet). Then the goats are trying to carry the poor soul - to hell. "Hang down you head......poor boy you are bound to die"

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. One of two very mystic carvings on the southern tower, about the relationship between humans and animals. Hare and hunter. On the left the hare. Either the hare is holding a very long snake (then a large part of this is weathered), or the hare is using a wind instrument. It is not an early saxopohone, as that was invented by Mr. Sax a couple of centuries later. Let say, the hare is triumphing over the hunter by blowing that horn. The hunter is lying (probably dead) on the ground. The horn used for giving hunting signals is still around his neck. It may be - as well - that this is not a horn, but a trap. That would mean the hunter is trapped - by the hare! I have seen some two hare vs hunter stories before this one. In Conque hares barbecue a hunter: www.flickr.com/photos/jaufre-rudel/2970803661/ In Koenigslutter hares enchain a hunter: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4306849868/

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head over one of the arches on the left tower. Obviously the collegue of the guy, whose head is over the neighbouring arch. As well - pretty sober. Just the head. Again there are these bulging eyes, so probably this is done by the same master carver, as the other more elaborated ones. While the collegue´s head, seen on the last photo, belonged to a corpulent person, this one seems to be more skinny. And, as most heads so far had a certain unique style in beards or hairdos, this one got a strange cut. According to mens-haircuts.net this is a kind of "Dolph Lundgren Flat Top". Talking about actors, the face and the haircut remind me - a bit - on Stan Laurel. While the corpulent guy next to him...

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head over one of the arches on the left tower. Pretty sober. Just the head. Again there are these bulging eyes, so probably this is done by the same master carver, as the other more elaborated ones. Most heads so far had a certain unique style in beards or hairdos. I have the impression, this guy wears a headband. See the next photo - and meet his collegue..

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Léger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. The heads of real giants are used here as bases for the columns. The two "big-heads" are staring over the brink down onto the visitor. The eye-balls are bulged out - and they will follow all moves on the ground. They will keep an eye on you. For sure. Be cautious. Little higher is a relief of a very different face with a pretty receding hairline. An egghead? Anyway, he has a long, plaited beard.

The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The Murbach Abbey was founded 727 by Eberhard d'Eguisheim, nephew of St. Odile (of Alsace) and Saint Pirmin, abbot of Mittelzell Abbey at Reichenau Island (Lake Constance), who established the "Regula Benedicti" here. The abbey prospered, got pretty wealthy and gained some political importance. Even Charlemagne hold the title of a laic "abbot of Murbach for three years. This good times ended in 936, when the Hungarians invaded the Alsace and destroyed the abbey. The abbey recovered over the next centuries, but ended, after the benedictian rule was given up, as a collegiate for a nobel clientel in the 18th century, existing up to the French Revolution. The abbey-church, constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The three original naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a (then very trendy) baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church of the village, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all still existing are the transept and the choir. There are many very artistic carvings. I uploaded photos of earlier visits, so now I´ll only add, what was left out so far. A head as the base for one of the pillars of the arcade-gallery. All heads of the gallery are carved probably by one master carver. All faces have these very specific eyes (often bulging out). This head is carved from a reddish sandstone. Again a "strong" gesture. Both hands up to the head. A gesture of surprise, maybe even of scare. It often translates to OMG ("Oh My God"). If this gesture is corresponds to that of the carved neighbour (cuckoo!), then this guy is just surprised, that the onlooker is such a stupid.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are artistic and pretty extraordenary. Up in the triangel are two carving depicting the "Holy Communion" and the "Sacrament of Penance". Below that are a number of arches. The capitels of the pillars are interesting, but not that special, but some of the bases are. This is the most "vibrant" of all the carvings seen in Murbach, from the same artist, whose work we saw before already. Here are two heads. The larger one in front consists out of a dynamique triangle. Here is not even a try to carve a "realistic" head. The head seen here can be compared to the sculptures european artists did in the early 20th century. There is a momentum of fast move, the lips and the chin are not centered under the nose, but "follow" this move of the head and seem to swing upwards. The sculpture juts out of the wall, and instead of a shoulder, the carver created a second, smaller head here. A bearded sober looking man, showing his teeth.

The church of the former Murbach Abbey was constructed around 1150 got consecrated 1216 and dedicated to Saint Leger. The naves got knocked down 1738, to give room for a baroque church, that never got built. Since 1760 it serves as a parish church, what did not prevent it from getting devasted by rioters during the French Revolution. So all that left is the transept - and the choir. The place of the former naves, behind the facade, is a cemetery today. The facade is impressive. The choir is "flat", following architecural traditions from Cluny and Hirsau. Some of the carvings are pretty extraordenary. Up in the triangel are two carving depicting the "Holy Communion" and the "Sacrament of Penance". below that trangel are a number of arches. The capitels of the pillars are interesting, but not that special, but some of the bases are very special. Here is a base, forming a kind of hat, under which a face is visible with really bulging eyes. The face seems to be very easy, very "graphical", like taken from a drawing. The left eye seems round, the right is more an ellipse. And he is chewing something.....He is clearly staring from above at the visitors, standing below him on the ground. Maybe he will - spit..

Adam and Eve, a scene from the lintel (left side). The style of the carvings in Neuilly-en-Donjon is disputed (see Raymond Oursel). I have the impression, that it is delicate, but somehow "simplified" in many details. Aside from the carving-style there are more details here: slim and longlegged Adam and Eve wear underpants - and Eve has a navel. Adam has his right hand under his chin - thinking about Eve´s offer. His (missing) left hand holds apple, while Eve is already picking a second one. The snake behind shows a grim smile.