Face of fantastical creature and foliage below two racing greyhounds. Carved in wood on lower bressumer or load-bearing beam of a half-timbered house in Josselin, Morbihan, Brittany, France. The property, dated 1538, is reputed to be the oldest house in the town.
Josselin, Morbihan, Brittany, France: a house dated 1538, reputed to be the oldest house in the town, at 3 rue Georges-Le-Berd (formerly Grande-Rue). The upper part of the house has criss-cross or diamond-shaped timber-framing, described as “cross of Saint Andrew” (“croix de Saint Andre”) on a plaque to the left of the front door. The upper bressummer or load-bearing wooden beam is decorated in bas-relief by a dog chasing a fox and fantastical creatures, including long-tongued winged dragons with entwined tails. Carved on the lower bressumer beam are a human face and foliage below racing greyhounds. Spindle pilasters on the ground floor are topped by carved faces. The sculpted figures in the caryatids on either side of the door are probably the first owners of this house. Josselin is about 80 km west of Rennes.
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Josselin, Morbihan, Brittany, France
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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