Each street has a series of designs, Chapel Street, for example does not have kerbs, as the lines are chiselled into the slabs to give the effect of a kerb; what with various alterations over the last 50 years (they had more respect for history before that) various slabs have been removed, and because they would not fit back (unlike Steptoe making his jigsaw puzzle, using a scissors to make the pieces fit), some were brought in from other streets. In the main, though they are pretty much as they were. I am about to make a start on recording what the philistines have left behind, and to try and analyse the patterns, granites and so on. Glad you liked the picture ... it is our heritage, we should be proud and protective of it. I see the south side of Market Jew Street stones are already showing signs of wear and damage. Rubbish.
It depends on who you believe, that is why I am so keen on dating buildings and streets, along with other things; by all accounts it appears the slabs date from 1836/8, it is around that date, but there is a sequence, and a distinct division of granite supply that I need to investigate; patterns do change in the same street, take The Terrace for example, bands of wave and hill patterns, and bands of plain slabs. Some areas are much later (blocked in basement glass lens lanterns) or much earlier (old house steps).
Treeve, where is the information supporting the Wave and Hill patterns are they not just a Cornish Mason s wanderings as he picks away at his star drill? I have never heard of this before, I am most interested. laugh# laugh#
I have never seen this in print, but, as a child, I was fascinated with the way in which lines were not haphazard, it was all planned, certainly not a wandering; I asked my grandparents (boring child that I was), and that was the story I was told, as it was what their parents told them. I have well nigh adored these slabs all my life; looking at them now, each slab is a picture in itself, the patterns were planned and executed with precision. Take the areas where lines cross and twist, it is all planned. I feel that each one is like a woodcut of a sea scene - I would even go so far as to say that I am beginning to believe that certain mason s work can be recognised, as different from another s. I feel it really is time to have a really careful look at these.
I agree, having spent, oh, as many years as I can remember walking over these carvings, (not paving granites as I would have once perceived them) There are patterns which are mystifying and only the original Mason could answer WHY I wish I was there to help investigate. This is a real eye opener Treeve, I look forward to your updates. I really believe this is taking Cornish Masonry into the artistic realm, I mean the common Mason not the Stone Mason, if you know what I mean. laugh# laugh#
The artisan has often been relegated to the artistic bin , as being a worker that produces as to directions from a Master craftsman, as on Greek Temples and the like. However, I do not belive that these slabs fitted into the norm of regular sizes or shapes, and so each one was created to suit the parameters, and within the general plan of nature ; each one is a work of art ... in the true sense of the word, but with an extra level ... art is an object with no function ... but these had a function, they had to last many years and to offer a walkway for the ladies of the town to get to their tea rooms and drapery shops. They gave an air of stability and of commerce to the town and to the streets. Get rid of these and lay modern slabs and/or tarmac, and the town is dead. We have had rubbishy bricks and rubbishy slabs, some areas are bitmac ... Groan ... Where is the spirit - where is the imagination?
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
