St Nonna's church, Altarnun, Launceston. Cornwall Headstone carved in high relief by Neville Northey Burnard aged 14 years.
St Nonna's church, Altarnun, Launceston. Cornwall Family headstone carved in high relief by Neville Northey Burnard aged 14 years. "Sacred to the memory of George Burnard of this parish who died. May 23rd 1805, in the 52 year of his Age. Also of Elizabeth his wife who died August 1st, 1819 aged 71 The memory of the just is The righteous hath hope in his death. Prov N N Burnard Sculp' Aged 14." Burnard would have carved this headstone 15 years after Elizabeth died, and 27 years after her husband George died. It is not uncommon for headstones to be carved years after the deceased was buried, or to be replaced when a spouse or relative was intered into the same plot. Decorated at top with willow branches and a gilded 'dove' in front of rays. The dove illuminated by the rays of God's majesty is a common motif for headstones of this period, (Dove symbolises Peace or Holy Spirit) ,but curiously the dove apears to have a 'crest'. Other interpretations could be that it is an Eagle (New Life/Resurrection) but Eagles are usually depicted with curved beaks and no crest. Other suitable birds might be a Peacock, symbolising Immortality & Resurrection which would explain the crest, or the Phoenix symbolising resurrection - again this might explain the crest but should, like the eagle, have a heavily curved beak. It could be a youthful and fanciful representation, but Burnard is likely to have seen real doves and pigeons to base his image on, and it was common practice for sculptors to source their designs from patttern books which would have shown expected physical details of the more mythological birds. There is also a repair of the word 'who', made by inserting a new piece of stone into the face of the headstone.
Size: 3772px × 4984px
Location: St Nonna's church, Altarnun, Launceston, Cornwal, England, UKl
Photo credit: © Jean Williamson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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