The subject matter of the fireplace in the front hall of the Havilah
Babcock House illustrates William Morris’ poem, “The Defence of Guenevere.” As legend has it, Guinevere, King Arthur’s queen, had and affair with Lancelot. Guinevere, who is depicted on the right of the fireplace, was then judged by Sir Gawain who is pictured on the left hand side of the fireplace. The significance of this story not only connects to Morris’s influential poem, but also idea that, despite Guinevere being a woman, she was defending herself in the same way that a man would. This motif of gender roles, also illustrated in the front doors and the stained glass window, seems to be a focus of Havilah’s design. Stories such as these show the thought that Havilah put into his decoration. |
http://morrisedition.lib.uiowa.edu/images/iseult.jpg
http://windling.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54fcf7385883401a5118fba91970c-800wi
Other pictures courtesy of Peter Adams
http://windling.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54fcf7385883401a5118fba91970c-800wi
Other pictures courtesy of Peter Adams