This is a fascinating image of medieval roadworkers. I am fortunate enough to live in a town that still has cobbled streets. Cobbles are immensely practical – though they require skill to lay. Having good roads in a town was a sign of prosperity – road infrastructure promoted trade.Here they are currently renewing the town’s water pipes and all they have to do is lift the cobbles, do the work, and then replace them. Cobbled streets are very easy to repair – small or large areas can be patched. It remains a very practical system. Image from 1450-1455 KBR 9242 - Chroniques de Hainaut (Thanks to the Medieval Advisor fb page for bringing this to attention) ... See MoreSee Less
The Tang Dynasty in China ran from 618CE to 907CE. It corresponds, very roughly, to the Viking Age in Europe. This Tang Dynasty painting of Court Ladies by Zhou Fang is now housed at Liaoning Provincial Museum in China. The splendour of their dress shows a highly developed culture but what interests me most here is the little dog. Just like the Chamber Dogs of the Tudors , little dogs like this were essential companions at court. The colouring and playful nature is suggestive of the present day Shih Tsu. I especially like that the lady is playing with the dog using dancing silk threads on the end of a stick in the same way that some people play with their cats today. I find the continuity of little daily life details like this fascinating. They bridge a connection of humanity across the centuries and across cultures. ... See MoreSee Less
