Sculpted Somerset Curiosities
Being cunningly sculpted representations of various apples each bearing a whimsical or poetic inscription. They appear old, and maybe so…
Apples have long been used in folk remedies, magic and divination. It is no chance that the fruit of the apple tree has had such a history a magical association, even before Eve. An orchard is a living thing, an entity in its own right, to be wassailed, carolled, and guarded from evil spirits.
Tis writ that apples from orchards in the shadow of the great Tor of Glastonbury have particular efficacy, and cider made from them, if drunk by the light of a full moon, will conjure a vision of the ancient kings of Wessex, or worse.
A capital cure for arthritis involves rubbing the affected part with a rotten apple, say then the Lord’s Prayer in full, and do not let a dog cross your path for a whole day, from dawn to dusk.
Warts are an infliction of the small folk, and may be removed by slicing a crab apple in half and putting both faces against the wart. Say the Pater Nosta, and keep from the sight of the moon.
If fever or ague you have, carve a holy name on an apple and eating it over a period of three days, and saying the prayer to St Agnes, three times, on each occasion, the fever will abate and evil humours be dispelled.
To be protected against venom or poison.
An Apple picked ripe from the tree of a priest, by a maiden pure, wrapped in white unsullied vellum on which the name of the Trinity has been written. Carry this on your person for complete protection from all Vypers and divers, evil poisons.Taken from “Old Somersetshire Customs” Compiled by the Reverend Mitchell, of Langport, (1770)
Somerset is a County rich in folklore and legends. It is also justly famous for its numerous orchards, the quality of its apples and, of course, the resultant cider. It was a common practice to fashion an apple out of white maple wood, bone, or even ivory, and give this as a gift of great worth to one who warranted such skill and labour.
There are three apples available with the following inscriptions:
- “
An Apple a Day
“ - A carved apple with this message was used as a token to wish good health and a long life.
- “
You are the Apple of My Eye
“ - Putting an apple under your pillow would guarantee that you would dream of your sweet heart. An apple carved with the message “
You are the Apple of my Eye
” was a common love token and the recipient would sleep with it under his or her pillow to guarantee sweet dreams. - “
Come Live With Me and Be My Love
“ - Apples were widely used in love potions. Rare and old varieties, stewed together with herbs such as Sweet Cicely and Tarragon and added to cider were used by young men to seduce the maidens of the village. It may have been largely down to the cider, but the efficacy of these potions or draughts was in no doubt. The gift of an apple carved with the message “
Come live with me and be my love
” was a common way of proposing a more honourable intention.
The apples are sculpted by Bernard Pearson (formerly of Clarecraft) and cast by hand in a man made material which closely resembles ivory. Each apple is presented in our trademark cotton Cabinet of Curiosities bag.
Each sculpted apple measures approximately 50mm by 45mm but, as every piece is hand-made, there may some slight variation in size.
Designed & made in Great Britain.
