Curiosities of Carcassonne

There's a new exhibit at the Art Museum on display right now---Collections and Curiosities of Carcassonne.  I took some time on this sunny, very brisk morning to go and see what it is all about.

I wasn't disappointed.  There was a little something to pique almost eveyrone's curiosity, I think: weapons, photographs, porcelain, carved coconuts and tobacco containers carved from wood.

decorated Saracen helmet

Wooden crossbow

Oh OUCH!

Steel and gold

I will let the photos speak for themselves.  Some thoughts as I was looking at things....how interesting that they took the time to decorate, elaborately, the weapons they would use to kill another person.  Some of the axes were stunning--steel and gold, even.  I was impressed with the decoration of the Saracen helmets--they are beautiful as are their little round shields.  

Frontal view of helmet

Tiny little legs

I really liked the collection of official weights for the City of Carcassonne--to make sure that nobody was cheating on the weight of what they were selling.  The collection of carved coconut shells, especially the head, even if my photo didn't turn out all that great, made me wonder--- from where did coconut shells come?

Carved coconut head

Carved container for gunpowder

What were these used for?

Tobacco--I'll bet it was snuff--boxes

 I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more porcelain.  I covet almost nothing in my life but would surely love to have one of those original photographs of the Cite before its walls were restored.  The arrows were smaller and thinner than I had imagined, and look at the size of the leg protector---and people laugh at me when I say I feel like a giant next to these southern French people,but...the leg protector is scarcely bigger than my hand!

Little trowel

Trowel to place the first stone of the Carcassonne bridge  May 1, 1841

The trowel used ot lay the first stone on the 1841 bridge is so small.  At that rate, the bridge would still be under construction.

And while I did enjoy the museum offering, I was equally fascinated  by watching the city workers prune the platane trees along Jean Jaures.  I am so lucky to be living in so interesting a city.

I don't know what this piece of glass is, but it is lovely

A lot of the local people won't ever bother to go and see this exhibit, which is a shame.  I plan to go back and drag a couple of my friends along with me.

Porcelain canisters