Carved Oak Pilgrimage Ghost

We have worked with Mr Gamble, a skilled local woodcarver, to produce for us a small numbered edition of carved oak Original York Ghosts. These ghosts complete a circle for us, as our ghosts are strongly influenced by a wooden ghost of unknown history or origin that is part of our personal collection. Making ghosts in wood again feels like a purposeful undertaking.

There is speculation that wooden ghosts as well as other carved talismen were bought as souvenirs by medieval pilgrims as mementoes of the pious journeys they took to visit shrines in England and abroad. These objects were also believed to protect their wearers from harm and to have arcane properties.

In the second half of the 12th century, in Western Europe, pewter ampullae and other crude wooden and metal souvenirs were made. Badges became the most popular type of souvenir from the 14th century onwards. Souvenirs often depicted the saint or the relic at the shrine. They were sold by specialist makers from stalls outside the church door or from traders lining the nearby streets. Pilgrims attached the badges to their hats or cloaks or wore them round their necks or carried the objects in their pockets or purses as ‘touch pieces’ bringing divine will.

We root our carved oak ‘pilgrimage’ ghosts in that tradition. Good fortune & fortitude.

Black Box Edition Original York ghosts are sold in a specially commissioned black box, with an insert card detailing the edition number and batch with a date and initials of the Merchant who has signed off the ghost.

Batch of 10 - 5 online and 5 in the shop

Release date : 11/12/19