I’ve written about draped urns before, but I haven’t written about the symbol of drapes or curtains all by themselves. Most people who study cemetery symbolism agree that the depiction of draperies on a tombstone is a symbol of mourning. Into the 20th century, it was customary in the United States to put out black drapes (not just as curtains, but over mantlepieces, furniture, and other decor) during a period of mourning.
Posts Tagged ‘drapes’
A Grave Concern: Drapes and curtains
Posted in Cemetery Sculpture, Symbolism, tagged ashtabula, calvary cemetery, chestnut grove cemetery, chicago, curtains, drapes, grave art, harrisburg, harrisburg cemetery, illinois, ohio, pennsylvania, sculpture, symbolism on September 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »