SKULL SUNDAY Mourners solemnly stand by the skull of the Gardener. His rake & spade are shown propped beside the tree, symbolising the garden in which he worked and perhaps also the Garden of Eden, which stands in for heaven, where his soul now resides.

“Behold this Mason with his plumb line in his hand. For he ever took sufficient pains that his foundation sure would stand”. Here lies George McClean, a builder, who died 29th March 1760 aged 67 years. He was so very proud of his plumb line that he holds it on his gravestone.

This detail on a gravestone (raised in 1737) poses many questions. What are we being shown, what is the intended message and what drugs were the stonemason or model taking ?

SKULL SUNDAY Two very cross skulls have been facing off here for 300 years. Even though they had already lost their fleshy faces. Looks like they are using bones as weapons to bash each other too. PS nice sutures on the skulls

SKULL SUNDAY Who here knows which movie this skull featured in ?

WTF is going on here ?

Can anyone here help read this inscription ? It seems to be a poem about a husband & wife.

THIS STON BLONGES TO JOHN REUCASEL MARIE BRUMAND HER LYES THER 5 CHILDREN UITH 4 GRAFS BRED 2 LENTH HER LIYS THE CORPS OF JOHN RUCASEL WHO DIED ON ANO 1730 AGE 42

SKULL SUNDAY This skull looks a bit nonplussed. Perhaps because they have been hidden from sight for so long, now raised up in to the light. The letter formation of “MEMENTO” here is unusual. The M & E are merged and the N is flipped sideways.

SKULL SUNDAY This rather aggressive looking skull and femur has a banner above that states “ HODIE MIHI CRAS TIBI”. What should we make of this ?

SKULL SUNDAY Sinking beneath the grass, this skull looks up at us with imploring eye sockets, asking to be saved from being lost from sight. Should we save it, or let it quietly slip away ?

Skull Sunday Pride of place here are the weaver’s loom & shuttle. Above is the winged soul, whilst below we are shown the mortality symbols. Cross bones, skull, hour glass & a coffin. All rather elegant & stylish.

SKULL SUNDAY The triplet of winged spirits, displaying varying degrees of decomposition, fly from the domed skull & X bones. This stonemason shows great confidence, creativity & craftsmanship to carve such expressive symbolism on their customer’s gravestone.

SKULL SUNDAY The bone & hourglass (lying on its side to show that for the deceased time has stopped) is a fairly conventional arrangement. But the tip of another bone showing just above the soil line confuses. And is that rather chubby bald head meant to be a skull ? Who knows ?

SKULL SUNDAY Here we are left in no doubt that the skull & bones are bound to remain on earth, whilst only the soul ascends to heaven. The expression on their faces capture how they feel about this. The skull seems sanguine, whilst the soul has a wry smile. 😊

Here Death is a footnote, symbolised by the single bone. This is all about new life, with the Angel guiding the young child on their journey to heaven. The child clutches the Angel’s leg in a way all Parents will recognise. What other messages can you see carved on this stone ?

SKULL SUNDAY The contrast between the skull and the Winged Souls here is rather stark. Chubby Cheeks compared to a Boney Glare.