Beaven brass rubbings collection, 1900/1999

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Beaven brass rubbings collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Preferred citation:

Beaven brass rubbings collection, C0284, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
4.0 linear feet (1 box)
Creator:
Beaven, Vida
Abstract:
Eight brass rubbings made in England.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Beaven brass rubbings collection, C0284, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Eight brass rubbings made in England. Dates refer to the subject of the rubbing, not when the rubbing was created. 1. Hildersham: Robert de Paris and wife Alien, 1379 2. Side piece of Hildersham Church rubbing 3. Balsham Church, Blodwell Brass 1463 4. Other half of Balsham Church, Blodwell Brass 5. Balsham Church, Sleaford Brass, 1401 6. Other half of Sleaford Brass 7. John Sleaford, Balsham, 1401, partial rubbing of figure only 8. Not identified: single figure

Biographical / historical:

Brass rubbing is a technique to reproduce exactly the engraving on a monumental brass. Rubbings are made by carefully pressing paper onto a carved or incised surface so that the paper conforms to features to be copied. The paper is then blacked and the projecting areas of the surface become dark, while indented areas remain white. In Europe the technique of rubbing is almost exclusively applied to monumental brasses. Monumental brasses are usually figures, inscriptions, shields or other devices, engraved in plate brass and laid as memorials. Brasses originated in Europe where they first appeared in the thirteenth century. Brasses in churches are an important source of heraldic information. It was formerly a custom to put a brass over the grave slab, and on this would be shown a figure of the deceased with his armorial bearings.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Vida Beaven in 2015.
Processing information:

Unprocessed.

Arrangement:

Organized by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Brass rubbing--England.