Saturday 20 June 2009

Cemetery Angels

Cemetery angels are a thing of beauty. On Friday, I visited the Victorian cemetery at Locksbrook in Bath and the famouse Arnos Vale cemetery in Bristol today. Although the more detailed stories arising from my visits are being published on my other blog - The Graveyard Detective - I thought I would share two images of Angels with you here.

Angel consumed by tree
This angel at Arnos Vale has been smothered by a tree which entangled her. Although partially cleared, she is still in the tree's tight embrace and looks to be reaching out for succour!




A Fallen Angel
Lying in the undergrowth at Locksbrook is this angel who has fallen from the grave. The summer growth of thorns and weeds is starting to envelope her - poor thing!



14 comments:

  1. Those are eery images--especially their faces. It looks like they're fighting or resisting something--as though they would be suffocated.

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  2. Hey Laurie, these are both beautiful in the own way. The angel being devoured by the tree/vine growth is just incredible. And why when someone pruned the growth way back, why didn't they complete the job and really disengage her entirely ??? Strange. She is still a prisoner. I hope there were no vines lurking in the tall grass waiting to grab unwitting photographers who might wander by. After your close call in that abandoned house I guess you are very wary now ?

    The angel keeled over on the ground is extraordinary also, but maybe she was just taking a nap ? Great finds. Amazing how fast nature reclaims man's work.

    If you have a minute, take a peek at Rain's place, Mountain Momma, she just posted some cemetery shots today, if you haven't seen them already. (Do you have the address ? I forget if I've seen you there or not... if not she's at :

    http://rain-mountain-mamma.blogspot.com/

    Hope you're having an excellent weekend... op

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  3. Great photos! I've never seen a tree growing around a statue like that. ~Lori

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  4. Great photo's. I love angel statues, especially the old worn ones. I agree with Owen, why didn't they remove all the vines? How odd! Paulette :o)

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  5. Beautiful photos, the angels are still very lovely even in such a state of neglect.

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  6. Amazing. At night this would really be spooky.

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  7. These are incredible! In that second shot, she looks like some sort of glorious tree-goddess rising up from the earth.

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  8. The one in the tree does indeed appear to be a prisoner. I also wonder why they haven't freed her. I know it's a statue but I felt sad for her.

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  9. I think the angels looked quite serene, who wouldn't want to be engulfed by mother nature, after all, they are carved from the earth herself! Graveyards are a place with such a deep feeling of earthyness, as well as spirituality, they almost encompass all of mankind's greatest fears and greatest hopes, Angel statues in particular...

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  10. Really liked the Angel photo wrapped around inside the tree branches. Is there any more?

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  11. I feel lucky to have stumbled across your blog. Shall put Bath and Bristol on my hit list. Thanks for inspiration.

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  12. The Angel Tree is very intriquing but I would have pruned a tad more from her facade to free her. :)

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  13. Wow the tree consumed angel is fantastic!! I love your blog!

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  14. I've never seen a tree growing over a statue like that! very nice! thanks for sharing!

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