Do you remember the fun of lining up as a child to wait for a ride on a merry go round? My favorite was always the fairground horse, like the one we see here.
Did you know that carousels go back as far as the 12th Century and the 'little war' game? This was a type of training used in the Middle East where, in some games, 'riders' would be suspended from chains and spun in circles as they tried to knock the hats off the people below. Sounds dangerous to me! In one popular game, Riders would ride in circles and throw balls to one another, something requiring great skill and was a form of cavalry training.
According to The History of Carousels, in some games the balls that were thrown were actually glass balls full of perfume. If the ball broke the smell of perfume would point out the horseman with lesser skills. Gradually this game was introduced to Europe.
Born in the South of England I now live half way up a mountain in Umbria, Italy. I work from my art studio looking out over fabulous views of the Italian countryside. I am so happy to share my artwork with you.
An artist and writer, I specialize..
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