Bohemian Owl!

I doubt if many readers of this blog are unaware of my interests in the arcane, bizarre and paranormal: I've given enough hints (and book plugs!) over the years! Having no elderly parents or new cars to tell you about (and with the rain still teeming down in East Norfolk) I thought I'd blog about something unexpected in the Eastern counties...

When Linda and I were in Cambridge a couple of days ago, we visited the Fitzwilliam Museum, specifically to visit the famous Bohemian Grove Owl. This extraordinary wine-jar was made in 1893 by London potter Wallace Martin for The Bohemian Club of San Francisco, which has an owl as its emblem. Martin's first effort had a firing crack and was not sent to the USA, but another arrived safely, only to be destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.

Bohemian Grove is a 2,700-acre campground located on Bohemian Avenue, Monte Rio, California. Although ostensibly a gentlemen's art club, it has become infamous as a retreat for the rich, famous and powerful. Rumours of occult ceremonies (including human sacrifice!) abound on the 'net and there is little doubt that the 'club' deserves some, at least, of its reputation. You would not believe the names of current members and associates!

The second photo is of the 'Owl Shrine' at Bohemian Grove....