Wednesday, January 28, 2009

B is for Beast



The wild beasts of the Roman ghetto

13 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

What an interesting intermingling of animals!

anthonynorth said...

They used lions in strange ways then.

Jess said...

I like that he looks to be sheltering from the elements.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a part of the deer is missing?

I love the way he's positioned, just next to the window. Imagine looking out and seeing him!

spacedlaw said...

Well spotted! Indeed the deer is partly missing and not because it has been devoured already.
This stone, the one next to it showing a dog and hare as well as the writing that you can see above them are all part of antic Roman ruins that have been pilfered to build new houses (at the time when such stones were so plentiful that they were a nuisance and got recycled).

D Herrod said...

Great selection for B.

Carol said...

Very interesting photo...thanks for the info...

Miss_Yves said...

Cette porte ma fait penser à Corto Maltese, Fable de Venise...

Granny Smith said...

It looks as though the rear part of the lion is inside the building and that his foreparts are poked out through an opening in the wall. I so enjoy sculpture that is original. Thanks for this photo.

Dina said...

A powerful image from the ghetto.
The secondary use of stones makes it all the more interesting.

Tumblewords: said...

Interesting post! I've always enjoyed the architecture and incorporation of animals or gargoyles that carried forward messages from the past...

Tash said...

I love reliefs. this one is well chosen for the theme.

♥ Pernill@ said...

Absolutly beautifull..
Nice interputation in the letter B
Have a nice weekend!
Greetings from Sweden.