This gable with a mermaid was originally placed on the facade of a house built in 1650 on the former firing ranches of the crossbow and longbow militias called the Crossbow alley. She rode the waves, combing her hair with a mirror in her hand. In the 20th Century the house was demolished but the plaque was retained and given a place on the new building. In a subsequent rebuilding the plaque got the current spot in the traverse wall.
Over the years the mermaid was quite polluted and had lost clarity. In 2008 she was given a solid cleanup and has been polychromed.
Linking to Signs, signs
Linking to Signs, signs
So was she originally polychromed?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenNo I suppose not and I must admit I don't like that colours attached to it.
VerwijderenAmazing that those are the same image!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThey did quite a job restoring this, and good that they did. But you are right in that they have lost some of the original feel to it.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenZe hebben er wel heel wat anders van gemaakt, echt een moderne versie.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThe cleaning process really has changed it.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenShe looks wonderful after her 'makeover' Marianne, so glad they've looked after her and not just dumped her.. there's a lot of history attached to the plaque.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenNot the beauty I am used to seeing in mermaids. Too much salt water?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenFirst from 1650, how wonderful. Where I live our history doesn't go back that far. I'm so happy you shared this and that they saved it! Very special indeed.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThis mermaid must have seen a lot of things during her long life !
BeantwoordenVerwijderenShe looks so pretty up there!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenSo cute mermais in the wall.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWow - she really had a make-over!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenvery nice.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMy SIGNS, SIGNS
Dearest Marianne,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenPoor Mermaid; she went from a Cup C to a Cup A...
Hugs,
Mariette
The mermaid is much improved. Interesting how the history is kept.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI think they should just have cleaned her and left her with a clear ....coating?? Not whatever that circus paint is?? Nice to recover her though.
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