
This is the time of year that I bring you to some of the unique burying grounds and cemeteries in the area. Today it is Burying Point in Salem, Massachusetts. This is a wonderful place, not because of the witches, but because it has a wealth of different angle style carvings on the headstones. This first headstone is rather unique in that during the time that it was carved it was more usual to see long bones crossed than what appears to be oars.

Another winged skull symbolizes death ascending into heaven. This stone is from 1710. I have seen this many time where a wife will not only be identified by her husband but her parents as well. The carving on the sides of the marker are a common motif, but I’m not sure what they represent.

Note that this marker has an angle with little wings, almost child like.

What follows next is a woman’ headstone has a majestic angel with brilliant scroll carvings.

This winged skull belongs to a woman who died at 25 years. Notice that she is referred to as a consort.

This is a detail of an angle on a child’s headstone and is beautifully executed and in wonder condition.


Another child’s marker from the late 18th century proclaims “Time Passes away”. Carved roughly at the same time but with a different stylized angle.

I really didn’t look at this stone during the photo shoot, I just liked the angle. But looking at the stone, it tells a sad story. Beyond that it is unusual in that it has the angle plus the two sun motifs.

This stone memorializes a man who passed away in 1796 and has a striking ouroborus motif proclaiming that death follows life.

Another angel motif beautifully executed.

This is a wonderful 17th century tablet with a unique angel and a wonderful boarder. If anyone knows what theses side boarders represent, please let me know.

Woops!

This is the other side of the stone above! You’ll have to click to enlarge to read the epitaph.

Here is a highly stylized angel motive, very unique and I’ve never seen any other like it.


Another unique headstone executed very simply, yet is laid out with absolutely flawless inscribing.

Do you recognize this angel from above? Look at how this carver scribes the digit one!It is the same as above.

This headstone is one of the most primitive carvings I’ve seen. Note that he hourglasses remind us that time passes.

Finally another unique headstone with an angel and a scull and crossbones beautifully carved.


Well, that’s quite a few headstones with different carvings. I hope you found the high resolution photos interesting and you got a sense of the different carvers work. I encourage you to visit my other headstone posts as there many more carvings to view.