Zinc gravestones are quite interesting. They are characterized by their bluish color and state of impeccable preservation. I was amazed when I saw this stone in person because it is so flawless and over 140 years old! All zinc gravestones came from the same company in Connecticut, and were made from about 1870 to 1912 (when the company stopped producing them). Each stone was created individually for the person who ordered it, with a variety of personalizations available.
It is touching to think that this stone was designed by the loved ones of this deceased person. The sheaf of wheat shows that the individual lived a long and full life. Wheat can also be symbolic of God because wheat nourishes and sustains so many people. Daisies are plentiful and can grow just about anywhere, so they often stand for the love of the Virgin Mary. This gentleman must have been loved and missed by his family, as the quote on his gravestone would suggest.
For more on zinc gravestones, check out this link: https://www.si.edu/mci/english/research/conservation/zinc_cemetery_monuments.html
This gravestone is remarkably well-preserved and contains some great images! Such a nice quote too. I never understood the wheat and daisies symbolism - now I do! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for identifying the source of zinc monuments!
ReplyDeleteMy great great grandfather, John L Hargrove of Shreveport, sold such monuments in Shreveport lat in his life. He died in 1898 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery but almost certainly had his monument erected before his death; personal details are given on attached plaques.
There are scattered examples of zinc monuments in both Greenwood and Oakland Cemeteries in Shreveport, almost certainly sold by JLH.
My 2nd great grandmother's white bronze marker looks beautiful after almost 135 years!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful marker, what a wonderful way to remember her!
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