From the travelling collection of
The Mystical Caravan
The Reliquary · Cabinet Catalogue
Danger level
Item R–6640–524The Grinning Face of Hollow Grove
The weathered wooden likeness of collector Silas Vane, still wearing the top hat the grove carved into him when it decided to begin a collection of its own.
- Classification
- Arboreal punitive effigy
- Origin
- Hollow Grove
- Estimated date
- Unknown; recovered after the grove's regrowth
- Collection status
- On display
- Materials
- Silver-grained hardwood; bark; moss
- Condition
- Weathered; moss-softened edges; fixed grin intact
The Curator’s record
Keep the face in contact with living bark. No axe, saw, freshly cut branch, or ornamental hatbox is to be placed within the display. Moss is not to be removed merely for the comfort of visitors.
Provenance
Silas Vane felled an ancient silver-grained tree to make a hatbox for his finest black top hat. When roots emerged from the box, he returned to Hollow Grove with an axe and was taken into the living wood. His wooden face, with the hat carved above it, loosened from the bark years later and passed into the keeping of the Mystical Caravan.
Observed activity
The effigy remains quiet while hung against a living tree. Its eyes and enormous grin retain Vane's likeness, while birds and moss treat the carving as ordinary wood. Separation from living bark is avoided, as the grove's original claim may not have ended when the face came loose.
The Tale of this object
The Last Hat of Hollow Grove
Season 3 · Episode 11In tonight’s story, we visit Hollow Grove, where a wealthy collector has found the perfect wood for his most treasured hatbox. Unfortunately, he considers every beautiful thing his for the taking. The trees have allowed him to collect quite enough. Tonight, they begin a collection of their own.
Enter the Tale