Tumbl_bee/tumbl_BRI
Medieval dentist
Dreading the dentist dates back centuries. Judging from this image individuals in medieval times had good reason to fear such visits. Pulling teeth was not exactly a subtle activity back then. Moreover, the fact that the dentist kept pulled teeth as trophies is worrisome. The image is part of a heavily illustrated encyclopedia compiled in fourteenth-century London. With a total of 650 illustrations it must have cost a small fortune. Why depict such a fearful event? I like to think the image is included to show just how brave the owner of the book was during his torture trips to the dentist.
Pic: London, British Library, MS Royal 6 E.vi (c. 1360-75). More images from this manuscript here.
Medieval methods of entertainment included sad dances and alienation parties.
Tights are not pants, circa 1400something.
Illuminated elephants on parade.
1. From a herbal, Italy (Lombardy), c. 1440
2. From a bestiary, England, between 1236 and c. 1250 (he looks so scared, poor soul)
More about medieval pachyderms here.
I Hate My 'Ghetto' Name. Can I Change It? Race Manners: The problem here isn't your mother's choice. It's widespread disdain for poor black people.
Nope, the only thing “wrong” with “Laquita,” which Our Baby Namer says means “fifth” (citing an ever-so-vague “African” origin), in the minds of those who are so put off by it is likely that it’s “associated with lower socioeconomic status” (pdf). My view is that the disdain isn’t really for the three innocent little syllables but, rather, for the type of black person who they imagine would choose to put them together.A fascinating article about the perception of names. I’ve read about these issues before, but usually in articles by white people (and I’m white, too), so I appreciate this article from a person-of-color’s perspective.
BLESS THIS ARTICLE
This could be my favourite Greek drinking vessel ever!
Rhyton (Drinking Vessel) in the Shape of a Donkey Head
c. 460 BC
Greek, Attica
This drinking cup could not have been set down without its contents spilling. It is fashioned after the head of a bridled donkey with a white muzzle, teeth, and ears. Like the naked satyr chasing a fleeing maenad on the vessel’s neck, the donkey belongs to the retinue of the wine god Dionysos. Douris, one of the great Athenian vase painters of first half of the fifth century B.C., decorated this amusing cup.
Source: The Art Institute of Chicago
In the morning, I’m making WAFFLES
This cup has a built-in drinking game: it can’t be put down until empty.
Two Elephants
Abu Sa’d’ Ubayd-Allah ibn Ibrahim, known as Ibn Bakhtishu
Manafi al-Hayawan (The Benefits of Animals), in Persian
Persia, Maragha, dated 1294, 1297, or 1299The Morgan Library
Pretty medieval manuscript of the day shows St Michael slaying the dragon. As dragons go, it’s pretty tiny! I confess I imagined a rather larger, scalier, and altogether more fearsome foe. Even so, I’d probably do a runner if one like this wandered around the corner…
Image source: Dunedin Public Libraries Medieval Manuscripts. Creative Commons licensed via Flickr.
the cat’s tower besieged by the mice
book of hours, London ca. 1320-1330.British Library, Harley 6563, fol. 72r
