Haddington » Cheeky Monk
The local guides describe this corbel as being that of a cheeky monk because he is sticking his tongue out and that might be what is intended but it is a rather grotesque rendition of that subject. Note the seemingly closed eyes and teeth showing below the tongue - is it in fact a death mask like the one said to be of Robert the Bruce at Rosslyn Chapel?
Unfortunately, those who carved these expressive pieces left no explanation of their intent and we are left to guess the original purpose.
