Folk Art in Texas Page: 36
203 p. : ill., ports. ; 29 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
GUARDIANS, SURVIVING FOLKWAYS
almost contemporary development. These Guar-
dians are usually used in boy/girl sets, frequent-
ly similar to Hummel figures, although reproduc-
tions of the paintings Pinky and Blue Boy have
been used.
Jockeys are one recurrent variant of the child Guard
ian in the form of a black or white boy in uniform,
holding a ring used for tethering horses before
residences. In recent years, black jockeys have
been repainted white or have been allowed to flake
into raceless, rusty antiques.
Adults are probably not a variation on the god
figures, but a product of Romanticism, concurrent
with cherubs and children as Guardians. The pairs
are usually matched shepherdesses and shepherds
in more or less eighteenth-century conventional
costumes.
Angels are basically Christianized nymphs. In
older Catholic churches, balanced pairs of angels,
usually kneeling, were used on or beside the High
Altar on opposite sides of the Tabernacle.
Mexicans, much more practical, also set up pairs
of sacred watchdogs for protection on the
altar.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
One striking and sometimes repellent kind of Guar-
dian is the reptile and related creatures. This category
persists, partly because of its scarecrow effect and
partly because snakes are universally considered to
be the messengers to the gods.
Cobras, the most spectacular because of the rear-
ing pose, came to Europe from India and were
reinforced by Greece, where snakes were also
sacred.
Pythons, sacred to Apollo, the enemies of grain-
ravaging rats, are an anti-rat Guardian, or
scarecrow.
Rattlesnakes are mostly a southwestern phe-
nomenon reinforced by the Toltec/Aztec architec-
tural representations of Quetzalcoatl, the Toltec
feathered serpent. In both Amerindian and Mexi-
can Indian lore, the rattlesnake symbolized a
thunder god; hence, the rattlesnake is officiallya votive Guardian invoking rain in desert coun-
try. But the scarecrow effect now overwhelms the
original intention.
Crocodiles are probably Egyptian in origin. Possibly
scarecrow in intention, they are also, remotely,
a fertility totem because of their legendary out-
put of eggs.
Frogs, usually vividly colored and used at garden
entrances, are Genius Loci Guardians.
Turtles and tortoises represent longevity, certainly,
but they are dedicated specifically to the service
of Aphrodite, the love goddess. Because of their
prodigious egg-laying, tortoises and turtles are
also fertility Guardians. One tradition even ties the
turtle to Priapus.
COMBINATIONS
Combinations fall into two distinct categories:
Monstrous and Casual.
Monsters as Guardians are usually legendary beasts,
such as griffins, unicorns, mermaids and mermen,
gargoyles, temple dogs (which are not dogs),
sphinxes, sirens, satyrs, and the like. Frequently,
the combination is ominous and is most likely in-
tended to be a scarecrow variety. Dragons are
usually architectural motifs rather than indepen-
dent artifacts (the Driskill Hotel in Austin offers
the best example).
Casual combinations can be almost anything, but
their appeal lies partly in reinforcement. Combina-
tions are nearly endless, but there are typical com-
binations: a lamp supporting a horse's head; a
crouching lion supporting a bench; a swan used
as a bowl-planter; a nymph holding a basket of
flowers or fruit; a Santa Claus holding a large can-
dle; a cherub holding a goose or a musical instru-
ment; an urn decorated with ravens; a cherub on
a dolphin; pelicans as bases for fountains; dwarves
as Atlantides with twin mailboxes on their heads;
posts with satyrs' heads and priapic insignia (this
type has a name of its own, Terms). Sometimes
the casual combinations appear to be even more
casual (a lion behind a bowl, or a torch on a door* 36 *
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Folk Art in Texas (Book)
This book describes popular folk art of Texas, including basket weaving, hat-making, yard art, sculptures, murals, cemetery art, quilt-making, tattoo art, and other miscellaneous folk art. The index begins on page 198.
Relationship to this item: (Has Format)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Abernethy, Francis Edward. Folk Art in Texas, book, 1985; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67647/m1/44/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.