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Cresset bearer
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Cresset bearer
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23271448
© Mary Evans Picture Library
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the enigmatic figure of a cresset bearer, illumining the night with the flickering light of his torches. The cresset bearer, an essential character in medieval European pageants and processions, carried a large, shallow bowl filled with burning pitch or tallow, which was set alight from a larger fire before the procession began. The cresset's smoky trail followed the bearer, casting long shadows and adding an otherworldly atmosphere to the proceedings. The man in this photograph, dressed in a long, hooded robe, holds the cresset aloft with both hands, his face obscured by the hood and the smoke rising from the bowl. The contrast between the bright, dancing flames and the dark, smoky surroundings creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The book he carries under his arm suggests that he may be a scholar or a member of the clergy, adding an intellectual and spiritual dimension to his role in the procession. The photograph, taken in 1883, offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when such ceremonial practices were an integral part of European culture. The image also serves as a reminder of the power of fire and light to illuminate the darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The cresset bearer's torch, with its flickering, unsteady flame, is a symbol of the impermanence and transience of life, as well as the enduring power of tradition and the human spirit.
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