Foliage

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Location
Boss ID
N-L1e
Subjects

Mid-sixteenth-century.

A branch with three broad leaves on long stems with a opening flower. Also attached is what appears to be a collection of small circular fruit. 

Natural forms are found throughout English churches in the medieval period. These sometimes represent a specific plant with symbolic meaning or can be more abstracted. This may be a depiction of grape vines which appears as a common motif due to their connection to the performance of Mass and the drinking of wine. This imagery is used to symbolically represent Christ's sacrifice as the drink resembles blood. 

This decoration originally appeared in devotional books and manuscripts before being imitated in church carvings. These often intricate and diverse designs are able to reflect the beauty of the natural world which surrounded them.

The ceiling here was repainted in 1865. 

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