Category: Uncategorized

brassmanticore:

Inscribed Sapphire Ring

Late 14th century (gold setting); 10th century? (sapphire)

Italian

Many rings employ stones repurposed from other pieces of jewelry. This
extraordinary ring showcases a large sapphire inscribed in Arabic with
the name: “Abd as-Salam ibn Ahmad.” The stone, engraved centuries before
the ring was created, was clearly highly prized. Sapphire, which was
quarried in Ceylon, Arabia, and Persia, came west through trade. The
stone was associated with chastity and purity. A second inscription
reads: “For love you were made and for love I wear you.” This work, with
its mixture of eastern and western elements, is among one of the rarest
in the Griffin Collection.

(MET)

russian-style:

Archangel Michael, fresco from the Nereditsa Church, 1199

Nereditsa Church had one of the most well-preserved fresco complexes of Medieval Rus period.

The photo was taken in 1930s. During the World War II, Nereditsa Church was  destroyed almost completely. Later, in 1950s, the church itself was restored, but frescoes could not be saved. 

Cultural Appropriation (or not?) in the SCA

curling-up-like-smoke:

Alright, so I was gonna ask this on the SCA facebook page. But based on a discussion I just read, the page is full of ableist, old, ornery, flaming white douches. Which leads me to believe they’re likely racist to boot.

I’m hoping for a more interesting, educating and peaceful discussion on here. If you aren’t in the SCA but want to get in on this, please do! I’m exceptionally curious about this topic.

So within the SCA you develop a persona/character based on a time period and culture. Most people go with viking, roman or western European. There are loads of others but those make up the bulk of it.

When explaining the SCA to someone and how to join it, I told them about developing a persona. I said that unless they are of certain closed cultures, they should avoid making a persona based on them (specifically; First Nations peoples, Maya and Inca. I realize now I should have also included Romani). When listing personas I know of, I listed Mongolian as one. This didn’t appear to be appropriation to me at the time, because he portrays it well and also from a time during the Mongolian empire, when they were oppressors rather than the oppressed. I got an ask about it and that fueled my curiosity.

We say white people can’t experience racism or cultural appropriation because they (we) are the oppressors and the dominant culture. Does this apply as well to dominant cultures in the past? Is it cultural appropriation if you are portraying a persona accurately (something the SCA as a whole strives for) and respectfully from a time when they themselves were the oppressors?

It is my understanding that because we’re doing the research into the history and material culture of the civilizations in our scope, and not just wearing it like a costume, it isn’t appropriation.

I have approximately 0% Chinese heritage, but my latest research project has been the Tang Dynasty. I was afraid to do it at first, because I didn’t want to be approproative, but I’m glad I did. I learned about an amazing period of Chinese history, and I’ve been able to share that with others. It has also expanded my social sphere as I have discovered the SCA folk who are also interested in ancient/imperial China. I don’t have a Chinese persona, but apart from having an SCA name, I don’t play the persona game.

If you’re respectful and approach something with honest interest and scholarly intent, you’ll be fine. If someone accuses you of approproation, all you can do is apologize and try to explain your intent. Who knows? Maybe you’ll learn something new and make a new friend.

historical-nonfiction:

During the Chinese Tang dynasty, anyone with an education was expected to greet as well as say goodbye in poetic verse composed on the spot. This particular example is one of Li Bai’s (701-762), the most celebrated Tang Dynasty poet. It is a farewell poem written for the poet’s friend, the imperial librarian/proofreader, who climbed the Xie Tiaos Pavilion with Li Bai. In the verse, there is the feeling of being underappreciated by the official circle. He expresses his resentment for the darkness of society and longing for a brighter, more enlightened world (where he would be better appreciated, one assumes).

Random things I find when doing casual research.

Exeter tiles
Winchester tiles

This question came via Facebook, re: a medieval floor tile pattern found on Pinterest. The originally Pin’s description is: “This pattern is from a floor grate in the Frankfurt Cathedral (built in the 14th and 15th centuries).” Kate wanted to use this pattern on her painted pavilion floor, but wanted some more info first. Go you, Kate!

I was able to find some additional images of the Frankfurt grate, as well as some other resources for period floor tiles.

The Medieval Tiles of Wales [link]J. M. Lewis
National Museum Wales, 1999
The second half of this book includes illustrations.

Exeter Cathedral Tiles

Winchester Cathedral Tiles [and 2]

houghtonlib:

Take a closer look at our digitized collections than ever before with our brand new image viewer. Click the “View in Beta” button from any digitized book to try it out. The new site offers easier browsing, enhanced zoom, and the ability to compare images side-by-side.  This site is still in beta testing, so let us know if you have any feedback.

MS Lat 253

Houghton Library, Harvard University

Yay more scribal resources!