Bethuel Gifford

I weep when I came across long ago epitaphs from east coast cemeteries; these were engraved on children’s headstones.  Bethuel Gifford died at 11 months 12 days old in 1827; the mortality rate of children must have been devastating. I used a late 1800’s china doll head- I thought it appropriate-she has such a beautifully unfinished face-just glazed, not painted. I gave her a body made from an old Victorian doorplate, her wings are antique carved wood molding, and I used arms and legs of the same period. She is mounted on a piece of antique linen that I embroidered with epitaphs found on children’s graves. I framed her with a piece of vintage carved wood, and used a Victorian iron curtain rod at the top, I embellished with Mexican silver mialgros (miracles), glass beads & wire, and some hauntingly beautiful antique tintypes of children.

14 ¼” w X 23 ½” l (33” with cord)    AVAILABLE