Mourning Parlor Domes
Man, the Victorians just beat us hollow where creative mourning is concerned. Parlor Domes–bell jar-type glass display cases–were a hugely popular part of Victorian decor. Also hugely popular was any kind of memento mori woe-is-us sentiment. Put ’em together and you get gorgeous pieces like this French cemetery scene, containing hair from the deceased.
They put me in mind somewhat of the desktop cemeteries I did a couple of years ago, but I think I might like these even better; the view of the interior is clearer and I love the way the tree fills the dome.
Something like this–with or without the hair–would be relatively straightforward to make. Glass display domes are available at craft stores and trophy shops. Miniature trees and other landscaping details are widely used in model railroad layouts, so there’s a large variety, in several scales, to choose from (this weeping willow and this dead maple are nice). Tombstones, crypts, iron gates, and other cemetery accessories are available for both model railroads and dollhouses; ditto the ground cover and materials used for building up the substrate.
The finished dome would be a lovely addition to a desktop or mantel. If anybody accuses you of being morbid, inform them that such displays have a long historical precedent, so there.
Posted in Doom It Yourself | 4 Comments »
March 27th, 2014 at 7:13 am
I desire to make this immediately. I also desire the skill and energy that would be necessary to make this immediately.
March 27th, 2014 at 7:33 am
These are wonderful! If you wanted to go full-tilt on it why not get a wig ( ugh yes wash the crap out of it ) from Goodwill and use that for the hair or use those kid’s ‘princess’ hair pieces that one finds at a dollar store. Somewhere on the web is a site that tells you how to get the artificial shine off of it so it looks more like real hair. ( a useful skill for the crazies that read this blog.).
March 27th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
My mom passed away in December and was cremated. I know it was what she wanted, but I don’t like not having somewhere to put flowers or a specific place just for her. I don’t have her hair, but I’m thinking a photo and a few of her favorite things might work. I really like this idea.
March 27th, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Sisifo—yeah, I really like this as a portable cemetery. My father, grandfather, and grandmother, are buried in different places—all away from me—and it’d be nice to have a place to go to lay flowers and such. I like this idea.