Five Higgins Horrors for Halloween

To celebrate Halloween, we have put together five Higgins Horrors for you to enjoy on the creepiest day of the year. Find out more about the spooktacular objects and artworks in our collections, if you dare…

Do You Want to Play?

Bobalicon by Francisco Goya c.1818-19

'Bobalicon' (Simpleton) is part of Francisco Goya’s last series of prints ‘Los Disparates’ (The Follies) that were published 30 years after his death. Though the meaning of this print is unclear, it was made during a time of political and social upheaval in 19th century Spain. In this nightmarish scene, Goya shows the grotesque side of carnivals with a giant dancing castanet-player, transformed into a disturbing figure and surrounded by ghostly faces. His audience consists of a man hiding behind his female companion who is scared rigid by the sight.

Spellbound

Witch Bottle

This witch bottle dates back to the 17th century and was found buried at Renhold. Witch Bottles were used as counter-magical devices for protection. Folk healers would mix together a variety of ingredients inside, including rosemary, red wine, seawater, thorns, sand, oil, hair, nail clippings and urine. The witch bottle would then be buried or hidden away where no one could find it. For the spell to work fully, the bottle had to remain hidden and unbroken. You can see this Witch Bottle on display in the Collectors Gallery.

Medieval Monsters

13th Century Corbel

This carved stone corbel was once part of Bedford’s St. Paul's Church during the 13th century. Medieval corbels were often decorated with angels placed high on the walls overlooking the congregation. However some churches depicted demons, gargoyles and grotesque figures as a reminder of ever-present evil. It was also thought that these terrifying corbels could serve as protection against harm and defend those within the church by fighting the Devil with his own. You can see this medieval corbel on display in the Settlement Gallery.

Very Superstitious

The Desiccated Cat

In the 17th century cats were regarded as being particularly gifted with a sixth sense and having a connection with the afterlife. It was believed that they could protect the home and guard against evil spirits, witches’ spells and curses in relation to the common superstitions of the time. They were intentionally hidden in walls, floors or attics, sometimes with the cat’s innards removed, dried and stuffed with straw. They were often placed into hunting positions to help protect the family home.

Double Double Toil and Trouble

Macbeth and the Witches by Richard Westall c.1797

This drawing is based on the three weird sisters from William Shakespeare's play, 'Macbeth'. It is set during Act One, Scene Three in the middle of a thunderstorm, upon a ‘blasted heath’. Here the witches share their wicked deeds, voice their incantations and predict Macbeth's future before vanishing into the air. Westall follows the description of the scene closely as the thundering sky and grotesque appearance of the witches give a sense of foreboding and doom.

‘So withered and so wild in their attire,
That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth,
And yet are on't?’

Written by Rebekah Matus, Audience Development Officer