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'Feierabendziegel'
Roof Ridge Riders, Roof Tile Graffiti and Wards.
The ward tradition dates back to Roman time even as 'tegula' making itself. The custom was taken up by the monasteries in the 11th century (when most village houses were still straw thatched). The tiles shown here are 18th and 19th century. (The 11th century date by hearsay. I somehow doubt that any genuine ward tiles from that period survive.)
The purpose of the 'Feierabendziegel' [=the last tile of the batch] is unclear. If the inscriptions were supposed to ward off evil or to increase kharma you would obviously insist that every roof tile was so adorned. Better safe than sorry. The extra expense for repeated stamping small enough. If on the other hand these were just the calligraphic self expression of the tile burner then any content beneficial to a third party would be accidental. (A workman's curse on a skinflint?) |
Date(s): 2007. Photos by Aymar. 1 - 10 of 18 Total. 0 Visits. |
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