I like this figure because it really has no close connection to any human culture, making it pretty darn alien. I also like the fact that it is carved from stone. To an extent, I get the feeling that it is a faint nod to the Mesoamerican goddess Tlaxolteotl, the eater of filth, but that’s just my personal take.
If so, it would link to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with the golden figure that ends up in the hands of the good Dr. Rene Belloq, “So once again, Jones, what was briefly yours is now mine”.
UPDATE: This intriguing figure has been bugging me for the past few days, because I know I have seen a historical analogue somewhere. I think I have now found the image that is a pretty good match to the Laroche Cthulhu in mood. It is in the village of Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, England. Keep in mind this is a PG image http://www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/xThorpeA.jpg The picture of the statue itself is from a three part article, which is also PG, but anthropologically speaking worth the visit. http://www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/satan1.htm The Laroche Cthulhu would fit in quite well with some aging. It’s a superb job.
I believe the figure is in the Thorpe Arnold parish church of St Mary the Virgin; and the building is circa 1150 CE, although it may possibly be an incorporation of an earlier figure into the fabric of the church. I think this figure probably also dates to this period, but I don’t have enough information. Interestingly, the church also has a font that is pre Norman Conquest and dates to 850 CE. In fact, Leicestershire has a good number of surviving early churches.
I like this figure because it really has no close connection to any human culture, making it pretty darn alien. I also like the fact that it is carved from stone. To an extent, I get the feeling that it is a faint nod to the Mesoamerican goddess Tlaxolteotl, the eater of filth, but that’s just my personal take.
ReplyDeleteIf so, it would link to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with the golden figure that ends up in the hands of the good Dr. Rene Belloq, “So once again, Jones, what was briefly yours is now mine”.
https://www.azteccalendar.com/god/Tlazolteotl.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Idol
UPDATE: This intriguing figure has been bugging me for the past few days, because I know I have seen a historical analogue somewhere. I think I have now found the image that is a pretty good match to the Laroche Cthulhu in mood. It is in the village of Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, England. Keep in mind this is a PG image http://www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/xThorpeA.jpg The picture of the statue itself is from a three part article, which is also PG, but anthropologically speaking worth the visit. http://www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/satan1.htm The Laroche Cthulhu would fit in quite well with some aging. It’s a superb job.
ReplyDeleteI believe the figure is in the Thorpe Arnold parish church of St Mary the Virgin; and the building is circa 1150 CE, although it may possibly be an incorporation of an earlier figure into the fabric of the church. I think this figure probably also dates to this period, but I don’t have enough information. Interestingly, the church also has a font that is pre Norman Conquest and dates to 850 CE. In fact, Leicestershire has a good number of surviving early churches.