December 2006

GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH: WHY THOSE GIFTS?

Members of the Farnham Decorative & Fine Arts Society met on Tuesday 19 December in the Maltings for their Christmas Lecture by Tom Duncan, Lecturer and Tour Leader on “Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – Why Those Gifts?”   He gave a fast, lively and informative summary on the topic as part history, part bibliography and part archaeology.  He traced the development of cult worship within the eastern Mediterranean basin from earliest times with the parallel development of forms of ritual.   

Gold being precious, like ivory and lapis lazuli, was offered to God in early religious rituals.   Frankincense being a bi-product from the 15 ft incense tree, Boswellia Sacra, which was cut into, thus giving a gummy resin that flowed out and solidified and peasants would break this off to take to local farmers who in turn traded it to merchants.   It was also used in medicine being ground up in goat’s milk – the modern day Imodium – and used as an aphrodisiac.    Myrrh similarly comes from a tree in warm climates with a wider distribution, being cheaper, and used for burns, deodorant, anointment and embalming bodies for the next life.    These became the preferred form of offering.   They were transported by boat or over the desert through Nabatean trade links to Petra, which was built on their profits.

Tom Duncan showed various slides and stimulated the audience with different depictions of the wise men.

Prior to the lecture Chairman, Frances Ashworth reminded members that Study Days give a smaller group the chance to have three one-hour lectures by an expert in greater depth on interesting topics; the next being on  22 February  by Alan Bott on Indian Architecture and the fusion with western styles including Sir Edwin Lutyens.    She also mentioned the forthcoming Tour to Cheshire and Shropshire on 3 - 7 September 2007 with bookings commencing in January.

Mrs Ashworth welcomed Caryl Morley, our Area Chairman, who looked forward to meeting many members.   President Susan Filer sent her apologies.

Following the lecture members retired to the Cellar Bar where they were able to enjoy a glass of wine and Christmas cake and a very festive time was had by all.