Casgliadau Arlein

One of four 8" x 8" quarry tiles bearing a worn diagonal cross from 'New York' cottage, Mynytho, Gwynedd. During the 1960s, the donor's mother would decorate the floor tiles with crosses formed by rubbing with dock leaves. This would be repeated once a week. The action of rubbing has left a permenant mark on the tiles in the form of solitaire-shaped grooves.

This behaviour is an example of the ritualised protection of the home - a tradition that stretches back centuries. The crosses drawn on the tiles were believed to prevent entry to unwanted spirits. Pipe clay was also used to decorate perceived ‘weak points’ into the house (mainly doors and fireplaces) and this tradition is called ‘stonio’ in Welsh or ‘stoning’ in English. Repeated geometric patterns such as knotwork designs are often known as ‘demon traps’ and were believed to prevent entry to evil spirits. Supporting these floor tiles in their defensive role was a brass threshold (F2023.15.6) which was polished at the same time as it was a common belief that the devil does not like to see his reflection. The quartz stone used to hold open the front door (F2023.15.5) provides similar protection, and on the same basis.