Folk & Fable Antiques
This is a fabulous, albeit very gruesome, piece of social history and a reminder of the widespread paranoia surrounding witchcraft and evil spirits of the time.
Rare Antique Concealed Cat Discovered During Restorations Of Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire
Regular price
£495.00
Pay in 3 interest-free instalments of
£165.00 with
Klarna
Shipping calculated at checkout.
- FREE UK SHIPPING WITH ALL ORDERS
- NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM I’M AFRAID
A rare concealed cat discovered during restorations of Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire.
Woburn Abbey was founded in 1145 as a Cistercian monastery before being seized by King Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. In 1547, the estate was granted to Sir John Russell (later the 1st Earl of Bedford), becoming the historic seat of the Dukes of Bedford, who transformed the medieval structures into a grand Palladian mansion during the 18th century.
From as early as the 16th century and continuing well into the 19th century, fireplaces and chimneys were viewed as the most vulnerable entry points in a home. Folk tradition held that witches, malevolent spirits, and bad luck could easily slip down the flue and into the living quarters.
It was believed that one of many ways to counter this was to hide a cat in the structure of the fireplace. Cats were believed to have a sixth sense that allowed them to track the spirit world. By placing the animal inside the chimney structure, it was believed its spirit would act as an invisible, permanent watchman, guarding the property from any spiritual threats.
This is a fabulous, albeit very gruesome, piece of social history and a reminder of the widespread paranoia surrounding witchcraft and evil spirits of the time.
**NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM I’M AFRAID**
Condition is as seen and found. Commensurate with its age and how it was found.
Measures 29cm x 29cm x 7.5cm
Weighs 1200 grams
