Objets D'Art

Always so much to look at when traveling. It's a visual tableau of old and new, historic, political, and emotional. It's hard not to think about those who came before us. Who they were, what they believed, how they struggled, and hopefully overcame obstacles to live a full life. I've chosen a few examples of mostly old objects that are somewhat mysterious, some utilitarian, and some just bizarre from the many places we visited.

Sculpture of a donkey, dog, cat, and bird based on A Brothers Grimm fairy tale next to St. Peters Church. The story goes that these animals were "too old" to be useful so set out to seek adventure. They found a cottage and to gain entrance they created an animal ladder. They succeeded and made it their new home. This sculpture created in 1990 by Krista Baumgertel has a political significance, as if the animals are creating a ladder to overcome the Iron Curtain. Latvia achieved its freedom in 1991 and local people rub the sculpture for good luck, hence the shiny faces and feet. There is a similar one in Bremen Germany, sister city to Riga.

Going the other direction time wise this is from the 16th century, clock works from the tower of Riga Cathedral. The clock is now electrified and keeps accurate time.

Salaspils stone head was found in 1851 in a field near Riga and brought to the city where it was presented to Riga Cathedral. The solid stone head is very expressive and is 36"in diameter, weighing 780 kilograms. In 1876 it disappeared and was not seen again until it was found be accident when archaeologists were digging in the Riga Cathedral cloister. Age is not determined but assumption is that it is quite ancient.

Portions of old gates from 17th century

This urn holds the heart of Carl Gustav Hohmann, a distinguished author and writer during the early 19th century requested that after his death, his heart be left in Riga. We'll be passing through Warsaw airport, named for Chopin who most people think was French but always considered himself Polish and his heart is in an urn in a cathedral in Warsaw. Guess it was a popular thing to do if you had the money or the fame.

Outdoor chess board in Vilna. Elephants are symbol of luck. You have to bring your own chess pieces, which can be purchase all around the city mostly made of amber, the gem of choice in Lithuania.

Decorative lighting fixtures in the heart of old Vilna.

Looks like the family of the house (or shop) may have decorated these themselves. Floral images as well as fairy tale scenes adorn the lower windows of buildings in old Vilna. Judging from their condition they are recently painted.

We found this drawing of the ceiling of a wooden synagogue in Pakruojis, the oldest synagogue in Lithuania restored using period photographs. This facsimile can be seen in the Jewish Cultural Center in Vilna. The original wooden synagogue was built in 1801.

When was the last time you saw a real pay phone? There are a number of these in Lviv.

The one headed two bodied lion, at the corner of a building in Lviv. Lviv is named for Leo (the lion), eldest son of Daniel, king of Ruthenia.

A lively fence in Lviv

Pharmacist or alchemist?

Adjacent or restaurant "Oil Lamp" is the inventor of kerosene lamp, pharmacist Ignatius Lukasiewicz.