Mystery over head found in Ipswich churchyard
Janet Peacock has found an abandoned pottery head and has given it to the borough council. Janet with David Stainer from the Tourist Information centre in Ipswich. - Credit: Sarah Lucy brown
The search is on for the owner of an historic terracotta bust that has been found abandoned in an Ipswich churchyard.
Janet Peacock has found an abandoned pottery head and has given it to the borough council. Janet with David Stainer from the Tourist Information centre in Ipswich. - Credit: Sarah Lucy brown
The head, which is believed to be more than 100 years old, was found on one of the raised graves outside St Lawrence Church in the town centre on Sunday.
Now the borough council is trying to track down the owner of the bust which was taken to the Tourist Information Centre in St Stephen’s Church for safe keeping.
It was found on one of the monuments in the churchyard by Janette Peacock, the manager of the Sharp’s Bedroom showroom in Dial Lane.
She was concerned that it could have been stolen, and that if it was left there it could have been damaged by vandals.
She said: “I took it into the shop and then on Monday I took it to the Tourist Information Centre down the road to see if they could help find the owner.
“I don’t know how it got there, whether it was stolen or whatever – but I thought if I left it there it could have been found by people and just used for a kickabout or something. That would have been a shame.”
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The borough’s conservation officer Gail Broom looked at the head and estimated its age.
She said: “We are puzzled by the appearance of this terracotta head in the churchyard and don’t know where it came from. We believe it could be up to 100 years old and would appreciate some help in identifying what exactly it is and who owns it.”
The bust is now in safe keeping at the Tourist Information Centre – and if you recognise it, contact manager David Stainer on 01473-258070.
