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Notes

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An elaborate architectural wood carving with two stylised rusticated piers surmounted by an eagle and a swan. These are supporters for a cross beam made of three curved planks in a different wood held together with pegs. The whole is mounted on a raised three-step pentagonal base constructed from rough concrete slabs. 'Michael's Gate' visualises the passage through Eye of a hypothetical ley line known as the 'Michael Line'. The eagle holding roses is from the Borough crest, while the swan commemorates the Black Swan Pub whose yard is now a car park.

Title

Michael's Gate

Date

1997 or before

Medium

oak

Measurements

H 332 x W 230 x D 55 cm;
Plinth: H 100 x W 260 x D (?) cm

Accession number

IP23_TJ_S106

Acquisition method

commissioned by Mid Suffolk District Council

Work type

Sculpture

Work status

extant

Access

at all times

Inscription description

THE MICHAEL LEY LINE RUNS FROM ST MICHAELS MOUNT IN CORNWALL / PASSING THROUGH SACRED SITES SUCH AS GLASTONBURY TOR AND THE AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE. / IT SWEEPS THROUGH SOUTHERN ENGLAND IN A WEST / EAST / DIRECTION UP TO BURY ST EDMUNDS AND THEN FINALLY ON TO HOPTON BEFORE HEADING OUT TO SEA. / IN THE 1980S IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MICHAEL LINE INTERTWINED WITH THE MARY LINE BRINGING TOGETHER TWO DISTINCT PATHS OF THE EARTHS ENERGY. TOGETHER THESE LINES ARE SOMETIMES KNOWN AS THE DRAGON OR SERPENT LINE. / THE MARY LINE PASSES THROUGH BOTESDALE / AND THE MICHAEL LINE RUNS FROM THORNHAM MAGNA TO EYE, TRAVELLING THROUGH THE GATE OF THIS SCULPTURE. / THE LINE ALSO PASSES THROUGH OTHER SITES IN EYE INCLUDING THE CASTLE, CHURCH AND PRIORY RUINS, BEFORE CONTINUING ITS JOURNEY ON TO HOXNE. THE SCULPTURE REPRESENTS TWO BIRDS THE WHITE EAGLE FOUND AT THE TOP OF THE CREST FOR THE BOROUGH AND A SWAN COMMEMORATING THE BLACK SWAN PUBLIC HOUSE OF WHICH THIS CAR PARK WAS ONCE A YARD. IT WAS CREATED USING TWO HALVES OF ONE OAK TREE FROM BURGH-NEXT-AYLSHAM IN NORFOLK AND A SWEET CHESTNUT FROM COPPERAS WOOD IN ESSEX. / THIS WORK WAS INITIATED AND CONSTRUCTED BY THE ARTIST BEN PLATT-MILLS AND INSTALLED IN 1997. IT WAS SUPPORTED BY MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL AS PART OF THE EYE REGENERATION PROJECT AND IS ALSO PART OF THE WAY-MARKED EYE TOWN TRAIL.

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