#ceiling pic

[bluebellebarrett]

I'm back with my ceilings again.

Can you blame me, though? This fine example of Gothic weather protection from above is found in Bristol Cathedral, founded 1140. Also, the 13th century elder lady chapel has some of the earliest pointed arches in England, so there's that. Most of the building was constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries; there are some towers that were added in 1888, though, as the Victorians could never, ever leave anything alone.

[bluebellebarrett]

Hope you’re ready for some more ceilings! This time, to change things up, we’re going 18th century.

These are the lovely elaborate plasterwork ceilings of Castle Blair, in Blair Atholl, Scotland. The ancestral seat of the Dukes of Atholl, the castle was apparently founded in 1269, but obviously, most of this decor is clearly the result of the extensive 16th and 18th century additions and renovations.

The Victorians remodeled it too, because of course they did.

And yeah, there’s plenty of Jacobite history and a private army and fine china plates (PLENTY of plates), but my favourite part was the 8th Duchess of Atholl, Kitty. Also known as the Red Duchess due to her support of the republican cause during the Spanish Civil War, she was the first Scottish woman elected to an MP seat.

……did you catch the bit about the private army?

[bluebellebarrett]

Ceilings again, this time the Natural History Museum in London

The museum was opened in 1881, back when rich white dudes still used their massive fortunes to build cool things for the public.

The Waterhouse building is very, very neogothic, plus animal motifs everywhere; the collections there include spirit-preserved specimens from Darwin’s ‘Beagle’ trip, and a giant squid.

(Not to brag or anything, but we were there overnight!! Because that’s a thing you can do!!)

[bluebellebarrett]

I...I just...I just have a lot of ceilings

Seriously though. This is the ceiling at Cardiff Castle. Well, the Victorian-era Gothic revival manor house part of it, anyway (There’s also an 11th century motte and bailey, bits of a 3rd century Roman fort, and a military museum, all within a curtain wall in central Cardiff!). Generally, it’s considered to be one of the prettiest houses done in this style in the UK, thanks to the third Marquess of Bute, the owner, and William Burges, the architect and designer. The Victorians were like...super weirdly into romanticising the medieval period, and it shows. The Victorians were kinda weird generally, but they were really, really into Middle Ages motifs in their architecture and....questionable interior design choices. It’s a really cool visit, if you’re ever in the area!

[bluebellebarrett]

I finally made it out of the West Country, so here's the ceiling of Glasgow Cathedral in, you guessed it, Glasgow.

Consecrated in 1136 and, weirdly enough, on a hillside (thank you, St Mungo), Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland. The original cathedral burned, and so in 1197, they did it again, and this is the cathedral that’s still there today.

Bonus points: the Lower Church

This holds the tomb of St Mungo, also called Kentigern, the patron saint of Glasgow, who was buried here in 614. Which explains why the cathedral was built on a steep hillside; St Mungo’s tomb was a pilgrimage site, and thus not to be moved.

I do love a good ceiling, and this cathedral has a double layer of them.

[artsy-souls-create]

While others look around, I always look up...

[randompersonalannouncement]

3-31-17 this elevator is the best for selfies.