Tuesday 2 September 2014

Hounds

I wonder where you would put a table like this?  I imagine in a very large hall where those heads would be irresistible to hang a hat after returning from hacking around the countryside.  This is the 'Deerhound Table' designed and created by the sculptor John Bell (1811-1895) for the Paris International Exhibition of 1855.  The life-size deerhounds support a table top painted to look like marble.  On display in the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron you may guess from that name that it is made of the material loved by the Victorians, cast iron. and it weighs a massive 800 kg.
It would be impracticable for me to own a dog but that does not stop me musing on what type I would like to have.  These hounds might be perfect, the puppies are very lively but once they reach about three they like to lounge around and sleep, the place of preference being on soft furnishing. however their attention is always grabbed by food and the chance of a long walk.  Sounds a bit like me. Perhaps I would take them to the beach
but watch out for the Sea Holly
Bethecar Moor and the Coniston Hills
Their own place of preference would be the high hills with plenty of room to run for, as their name implies, they were originally bred to hunt deer. Want to see some real deerhounds bounding around?  I know I did, here is the Flickr Group.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet this week sojourning at H here   

11 comments:

orange said...

I find the table a bit creepy, but like the sea holly, and am really envious if you live in Cumbria near such fantastic views!

Anonymous said...

Wow...that is quite the conversation piece! I love your thoughts about what you would do with a dog. Love the photos!

Hildred said...

Great pictures on Flickr, - I was reminded of Greengrass's companion on Heartbeat, but couldn't find him!

Leslie: said...

Wow! What an amazing table. I can imagine it in some wealthy landowner's entry. Love your hills and valleys and would love to romp like the dogs!

leslie
abcw team

Reader Wil said...

It's an interesting table , but I wouldn't like to have it in my house. I like your photos!The scenery is impressive!
Wil, ABCW Team

Roger Owen Green said...

It's a....er, ah...conversation piece?

ROG, ABCW

mrsnesbitt said...

Puppies? Check out my blog!
denise ABC Team

ChrisJ said...

That table is gorgeous! I love carved wooden things and those dogs are wonderful.

SamuraiFrog said...

Beautiful photos!

Cristina Pop said...

The table is very interesting..but it`s so biiig! And 800kg! A little bit heavy :))

Louisette said...

Wow ...Wonderfull table, and foto landscape.

Have a nice sunday , from Belgium with sun.
*http://retriever-louisettesblogs.blogspot.be/2014/09/costumes-de-legendes-20-ans-de-creation.html
Honors costumes Opera with the textiles museum of Lyon with ABC wednesday
*http://louisette.eklablog.com/-p842116