Coming Soon! The Chelsea Chimney Sweep!
Sculpted by Campbell ~1979 ~ Ely, England
While living and working in Germany, CAMPBELL spent a day in DARMSTADT with a group of four Chimney Sweeps! CAMPBELL celebrated her luck meeting the Chimney Sweeps with a toast of Chivas Regal and they are the inspiration for this world class sculpture.
The Original sculpture pieces by Campbell were given to Stan Dalby, who used them to make a mold. The Original CASTING by Stan Dalby~
Lucky Chimney Sweeps original cast were made with ground stone and metal work shavings from the Ely Cathedral and mixed with Epoxy Resin.
While Mold and casting was taking place, the original sculptures were broken.
We are using the original cast to make a new mold for an artist proof production run
Watch for more info on Chimney Sweeps Coming soon...
Great Britian~"No one knows why chimney sweeps are supposed to bring luck. The tradition is thought to originate from the 18th Century, when it is rumoured that an unknown chimney sweep grabbed the reins of a panicking horse saving the rider from a fatal accident. The sweep then disappeared into the crowd before he could be thanked. The grateful rider, being none other then the king himself, afterwards declared that all chimney sweeps should be treated with honour. The 'luck' of the monarch then became the sweeps' talisman.
By tradition, though, chimney sweeps have always been taken as talismans of good fortune. Customs varied according to where one lived. In some parts of the country to tap a sweep's shoulder or touch his clothing, or even walk in his shadow is very lucky.
read more about Lucky Chimney Sweeps [4]
GERMANY
&
EUROPE ~ The black-garbed sweeps are symbols of good luck in Germany...Schlotfegerla means "little chimney sweep" in German
It is interesting to note that magic and customs regarding Chimney Sweeps are to be found all over Europe, especially in Germany, Austria and France, where it is considered lucky to touch a Sweep's tunic button, and particular in Poland, where St Florian is the patron saint of Chimney Sweeps.
"A chimney sweep's lucky as lucky can be..."
Many people will be able to sing along with that song from the Walt Disney version of Mary P. Travers' "Mary Poppins," but not as many know that In Germany, Austria, Hungary, and contiguous regions, the chimney sweep is considered a particularly auspicious omen of good luck and extended good fortune if you meet with him on New Year's Day.
The chimney sweep as a bringer of New Year's luck
New Year's was not celebrated in Germany until the l7th century, according to an old book on German folklore, so originally, this took place on Christmas or Saint Nicholas' Day, but anyway, gifts were given on New Year's Day to people who delivered bread or did household chores that were not performed by live-in servants. In exchange, these purveyors of services often handed out little cards with a blessing or good wishes.
Meeting a chimney sweep -- called a Schornsteinfeger or Schlotfeger -- at New Year's meant good luck for the year, especially if he would give you his card. However, by the 1910s and 1920s, chimney sweeps were sufficiently rare and meeting one at any time of the year was considered lucky.
Chimney Sweeps are also regarded to be lucky in
Scandinavia ~
The Balkans ~
Russia ~, where they like to tear off his button for luck, and for every country there is a different story. In any culture, a visit from a sweep brings the security of a safe and warm home and the reassurance of the basic comfort of the fire, the heart of a home, which has always been associated with family, happiness and well-being.
Poland ~ to see a chimney sweep is very lucky, but once you see him, you must act very quickly, you cannot hesitate for a second, you must grab hold of a button on your shirt or jacket, then make a wish. Afterwards you can tell your friends and work mates that you saw a chimney sweep".
To see a chimney sweep and receive the Kiss of Luck after the wedding ceremony is supposed to bring good fortune.
"Through the years it has been said if a bride was to see a chimney sweep on the day of her wedding then it was going to be a very happy day and a very happy union.
Since pagan times, the images of fire and the hearth have been associated with luck. When a new bride inherited the fire irons, she symbolically inherited a home and a new family. It's because of his blackened face and his relationship with hearths and fires that the Chimney Sweep carries the luck with him wherever he goes and when you meet him, his luck rubs off on you.
Coal, again connected with fire and hearths, is also believed to be lucky, when given by a sweep the luck is multiplied. Soldiers have carried small lumps of coal into battle to ensure survival, and sailors kept coal in their pockets whilst at sea.
If a Chimney Sweep meets a Bride and Groom at their wedding, it is a very good omen for their future, especially if he wishes them good luck.
