#historical craftsmanship

[incorrect-koh-posts]

The two gorgeous covers that encased the psalter belonging to Baldwin IV’s grandmother, Queen Melisende of Jerusalem.

The Melisende Psalter may only be the size of a modern paperback, but it features rich gold illuminations inside and was originally enclosed in a binding of two beautiful carved ivory panels decorated with turquoises and garnets that make it one of the most precious surviving artefacts from the war-torn Crusader kingdoms.

The upper cover (left) shows scenes from the life of David along with battles between the virtues and vices, accompanied by Latin inscriptions. The lower cover (right) is designed after a passage in the Gospel of Matthew:

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

It depicts emperors clothed in different garments of Byzantine fashion performing acts of mercy. The bird labelled ‘Herodius’ at the top of the cover may be a reference to the man who possibly commissioned the book: King Fulk of Jerusalem, Melisende’s husband. In Bestiary tradition, the biblical herodius was equivalent to the fulica (coot).

[xoxomyah]

𝒽𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓈𝒶𝓌𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓀𝓃𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓈 🎻🏹 ── .✦

[viillette]

it's so crazy how few historical fiction novels are like sharon kay penman's. the way that they're built out of the skeleton of the historical record seems so obvious, but there's so few people who are actually willing to commit to it in the way that she did. it seems like so often that's just a starting point which gets reformed to fit a coherent narrative, but she makes no real attempt to do that. there's themes and foils and patterns, but first and foremost it is a reconstruction. you can't really know what someone who lived that long ago was like, only what they did, and you can feel how she takes these isolated, dramatic events and builds a whole life around them. the books are nothing more than an answer to the question 'what might someone have been like, what could the history between these people have been, to possibly explain something like this?' the ability to string together a handful of facts and events from medieval chronicles to create people that feel so real, and psychology and relationships that develop so naturally that these distant, seemingly impenetrable choices suddenly feel so immediate and clear is just beyond belief. you know this probably wasn't actually how things happened, but it doesn't matter because it was something like this. the particulars are less important the crushing awareness that at one point all of this made sense. there was a time when all of this was right now. the world is unrecognizable and exactly the same. that's something which sounds very simple but is incredibly difficult to accomplish.

you come to know these people so well, their loves and hatreds and ambitions and failures, and those things are rarely resolved in the end. you know them from the time that they're children, you watch each one of them die, and none of it means anything in particular except that they were a human being. things which seem like they must be building to some tragic fallout end in anticlimax. things which seem utterly inconsequential in the moment manifest again decades later in cataclysmic disaster. and then you see it all play out again from the beginning with their children, and their children's children. all these uncanny echoes, this endlessly unfolding palimpsest of lives, each laid over the triumphs and mistakes of those who came before. i've never read anything so epic with so much mastery over the micro and macro levels of history. it's the minute, seemingly inconsequential everyday details, which build into a lifetime, which builds into generation of lives, which builds into the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires. it's the merciless endlessly turning wheel of fortune that replays the same songs in different keys again and again for all time. a person is both an individual with free will, and the prisoner of their blood and circumstances. somehow everything has infinite weight, is tied to everything that has come before and will come after, is the culmination of someone's entire existence—their pains and joys and fears and hopes—and yet is simultaneously completely meaningless, just one more victim of fate in an endless procession of lives and choices. the whole impotent tragedy of humanity is laid out in front of you and it's so repulsive and beautiful. it's deep love and unfathomable, senseless horror briefly and miraculously reverberating in a vacuum, an absurd aberration fading into silence.

if it's not obvious these books have made me cry like 10 different times

[skitskatdacat63]

Orb...

+ process kinda

[starlight-eclipsed]

I now know far more about 17th century casment window opening mechanisms than I ever thought I would.

(Which is to say that I now know about them)

[in-tenebris-et-in-solitudine]

Browse Anonymously and Securely

[indiatrendzs]

Modern Minimalism with Moroccan Inspired Architecture

Moroccan-inspired city chic blends the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and exotic textures of Moroccan design with the contemporary flair and urban sophistication of city living. This fusion creates a stylish and eclectic aesthetic that reflects the cultural richness and cosmopolitan energy of Moroccan cities like Marrakech and Casablanca. Visit Our Online Store:-ETSY MOGULGALLERY Elements…

[buildcollect]

Ahoy mateys! Just conquered the high seas and completed this epic Flying Dutchman 3D wooden puzzle! This intricate pirate ship was a true test of patience (and rum-drinking skills ) but the final result is a treasure to behold.

[upmala]

Lithuanian 10-11c reconstructor from Baltu Vikingai showing me reproductions of bronze, iron weapons, based on local archeological findings.

(Baltic iron age reconstructor festival Bandava, 2023)

[faithandarisadventures]

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Part 2 May 17, 2023 St. Louis, Missouri

[streetsofsalem]

Meeting Houses of Rockingham County

(Sorry—I have been reading and writing about meeeting houses for the past few months but still do not know if their identifier is one word or two). On this past Sunday, a rather dreary day, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance sponsored a driving tour of meeting houses in western Rockingham County, encompassing structures in Hampstead, Danville, Fremont, and Sandown. I drove over from York…

[i12share]

Ben Day 12th at Family’s Hometown 🙏🏻❤️

[saja-star]

a phrase that kinda bothers me when talking about women's historical roles in europe is "cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children." you hear it so often, those exact words in the same order even. and once you learn a little more you realize that the massive gaping hole in that list is fiberwork. im not an expert and have no hard numbers, but i wouldnt be surprised if fiberwork took up nearly as much time as the other three tasks combined, so it's not a trivial omission.

it's not a hot take to say that the mass amnesia about fiberwork is linked to the belittlement of women's work in geneal, but i do think there's a special kind of illusion that is cast by "cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children." you hear that and think "well i cook and clean and take care of children (or i know someone who does) and i have a sense of how much work that is" and you know of course that cooking and cleaning were more laborious before modern technology, but still, you have a ballpark estimate you think, when in fact you are drastically underestimating the work load.

i also think that this just micharacterizes the role of women's work in livelihoods? cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children are all sisyphean tasks that have to be repeated the next day. these are important, but not the whole picture. when we include all kinds of fiberwork—and other things, such as making candles or soap—women's work looks much more like manufacturing, a sphere we now associate more with men's work. i feel like women's connection to making and craftsmanship is often elided.

[mjolnir-viking-jewelry]

Excited to share the latest addition to my #etsy shop: Wood viking longship wall hanging. Wood Ragnar Lothbrok longship decor. Jormungandr viking wall panel.

[holidaylets]

House of Tin Baron: Phuket's Newest Luxurious Lifestyle Destination

Discover Phuket’s newest luxury gem, House of Tin Baron, a historical landmark reimagined into a premier destination for fine dining and opulent experiences. Continue reading House of Tin Baron: Phuket’s Newest Luxurious Lifestyle Destination

[martinworsterphotography]

Grand Tour Bust Augustus Caesar Bronze Marble Italian

Discover the Timeless Elegance of the Grand Tour Bust of Augustus Caesar!

Add a touch of classical sophistication to your collection with this exquisite Grand Tour bust of Augustus Caesar. Crafted from bronze and marble, this stunning piece captures the essence of ancient Roman artistry. Perfect for history enthusiasts and art collectors alike, this bust is a testament to the grandeur of the past.

Features:

High-quality bronze and marble construction

Detailed craftsmanship

Historical significance

Ideal for indoor display