An incredible, super primitive carved stone grotesque, with a wide gaping mouth overlapped by a crude hooked nose and upturned chin. Dates to at least the 14th century (the close set, deeply hollowed eyes are most associated with the period) but could be considerably earlier. Very dense, hard ironstone, indicating a northern English origin. Lime mortar remnants on the back would indicate that it was built into a wall, probably in a secular context- some theories would suggest pieces like this were carved by the layman, with rudimentary tools, simply to pass the time during the long winter nights. H 22 cm x W 19.5 cm x D 13 cm (approx)
An incredible, super primitive carved stone grotesque, with a wide gaping mouth overlapped by a crude hooked nose and upturned chin. Dates to at least the 14th century (the close set, deeply hollowed eyes are most associated with the period) but could be considerably earlier. Very dense, hard ironstone, indicating a northern English origin. Lime mortar remnants on the back would indicate that it was built into a wall, probably in a secular context- some theories would suggest pieces like this were carved by the layman, with rudimentary tools, simply to pass the time during the long winter nights. H 22 cm x W 19.5 cm x D 13 cm (approx)
