Wednesday, September 27, 2017

QUEEN ELIZABETH I - SCULPTURE IN THE ELIZABETHAN GARDENS


She was a complete surprise when I walked down the path.  I remember being totally enthralled. 


I knew nothing of the Elizabethan Gardens until I saw the sign a few days earlier, when we went to the visitor center at The Lost Colony. The garden has its own very interesting history of how it came about.  I will go into that at another time.  For now I want to share these photos.


From what I know of Elizabeth I, she would have been very happy with its beauty.  The sculptor was Jon D. Hair and she stands nine feet tall.


I have always had an interest in costumes down through the ages, and traditional clothing from other countries, which I have mentioned before. The details here were astounding. 


I also wanted to find out more about the design, and I did quite a lot of searching online. Eventually I found an article written in 2006, at a newspaper called the Virginia-Pilot.  The title reads, "Love of theater led to life's work in costume", and I was immediately hooked.  It told the story of a lady, Joan Brumbach, who sewed her first costume for a doll at the age of 4. As the article continues, her mother made home decor, clothes, Halloween costumes for her three daughters, and the seed was sewn, no pun intended.  She has had an interesting life and the article is a great read, but unfortunately when I check again the article had been removed




To get back to the focus of my post, Jon Hair chose the gown Joan had designed, from dozens of others he had studied, for his stunning Elizabeth.


I noticed a thick layer of cobwebs near the ruff of her gown, a sign of many tiny tenants .  


I also read a marker nearby that mentioned another tenant.  The Carolina Wren often makes its nest in the hand that holds the bouquet of roses.  


I tore myself away eventually, as it was time to explore the rest of the garden.  This is the day we visited The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, North Carolina.

46 comments:

  1. She is so regal! And it looks like she is at a very young age, too. Her face is beautiful and smooth. I love the details of the lace, that is so intricate and could not have been easy. And being larger than life makes it easy to see all the detail and beauty.

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    1. She does doesn’t she? The dress intrigued me with all its detail. I don’t remember ever seeing one with such detail.

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  2. That is quite a stunning sculpture and I'm sure that Elizabeth I would have approved. I love the fact that the Carolina Wren build its nest in her hand. How lovely is that.

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    1. Thank you Carola, I was also delighted to learn about the Carolina Wren.

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  3. Wow, Denise, the details really are astounding! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  4. How lovely that the Carolina Wren accepts Elizabeth as part of the landscape. And a safe and welcoming part of the landscape at that.

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    1. I thought so too EC, a fitting home for the Carolina Wren.

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  5. It is one of the finest statues I have seen and I am sure she would be more than happy with it if she saw it today. Everything about it is really beautiful. Interesting info as well. Have a fab day Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane, so glad you enjoyed it. Hope your day is fab too :)

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  6. Lovely that the wren nests in her hand.
    A serialised 'play' about this queen is being shown on our TV which rather spoils my image of her.

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    1. Thank you Valerie and that must be an interesting series. I have also read some of her history which is very eye opening. Feel better soon and still sending lots of love and hugs xxx

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  7. The sculpture of queen Elizabeth is very beautiful! Have a great day!

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  8. Hello, Denise

    The statue of Queen Elizabeth is beautiful. The detail on the dress are amazing,love the flowers too. I am sure the wren found a comfy spot for it's nest there. Great post, thanks for sharing your visit. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day and weekend ahead.

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    1. Thank you Eileen, it was a very detailed and impressive statue. I enjoyed the Wren nesting also. Happy Sunday and have a great week :)

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  9. The look on your face says it all! What an amazing sculpture! And I'm glad you looked up the history of the piece and shared it also. So weird...we missed her when we were at the Gardens, and I am very sad about that. I don't know how we did!

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    1. I was mesmerized! I can’t tell you how often I have been to places and found I had missed something. A good reason to return one day :)

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  10. This is one of the most amazing statues I've ever seen and I am so glad that you took every view every close up all the different shots of what she looks like the person who created the statue is truly a gifted artist

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    1. I felt the same way, I could not stop taking photos :) I always am amazed at the talent of these artists, to create a masterpiece like this with your own hands and a few tools. Would have loved to have seen that process.

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  11. Nice clothing, but I think she had a beautiful face. Nice nose.

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  12. That is an impressive sculpture, the Carolina Wren nesting in the hand is really neat also.

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    1. Thank you Jimmy, the Queen gets my vote for letting the Wren nest in her hand.

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  13. A really fascinating post Denise. What a beautiful statue and the fine details of the adornments. I love the story of the little wren who makes its nest in her hand... certainly a regal eye view :D) Cheers, Sue xx

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  14. Such a beautiful sculpture! Love all the details.

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  15. Hi Denise and what a stunning dress, the detail in the sculpture is really something to behold, brilliant post, thank you. All the best, John

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    1. Thank you John, so glad you enjoyed it. All the best to you too :)

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  16. WoW!! how beautiful!! i'm glad you stood along side, it gives a great size comparison!!!

    i enjoyed the close-ups, there is more detail than i would have realized!!!

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  17. What a stunning sculpture.

    All the best Jan

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  18. It is amazing that is made with stone! What. How. I know they chisel it, but I am still at a loss to understand.

    This is in North Carolina?? I'm in NC! I had no idea.

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    1. This is in North Carolina Sandi, at the Elizabethan Garden in Manteo, near the Lost Colony. If you ever head that way I can highly recommend a visit. The statue is amazing and I would have loved to see the sculptor's work at each step. I can't imagine how long it took to create. I would also have loved to see Joan Brumbauch's original costume.

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  19. That sculpture is amazing and I love reading about the story of the design behind the dress. Sarah x

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    1. It was veyr impressive, so glad you enjoyed seeing it Sarah.

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  20. What a lovely bit of the old world. The details are just wonderful!

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    1. Isn’t it just? It is one of my most favorite sculptures I have ever come across. Thanks Betty :)

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