12 May More than bats in The Belfry
By Beth Berube
“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing.”
A Macbeth witch seeking essentials for a potion might find at least some of these ingredients arranged methodically on armoire shelves inside this oddball boutique. Allow me to introduce you to The Belfry. It can be found at 309 A 3rd Avenue South, next to the Police Museum. It is a delightfully wacky, yet well-organized shop, showcasing captivating and sometimes creepy collectibles.
Christian and Jessica Harding, owners of The Belfy, opened their store in 2012. They buy many of their objects d’arte from museums in Europe. The acquisitions are either antique (over 100 years old) or vintage (over 20 years old).
Does an iridescent beetle or a bristly bat, entombed in clear resin caskets, suit your fancy? If taxidermy is up your alley, or more precisely — down your hallway, you are in luck. Here you can find an assortment of lifelike animals, or parts of animals, in natural forest poses.
When I visited, I saw an antelope mount. Actually, it was the front half of an antelope, with legs and all. It appeared to be bounding through the Police Museum wall, as if the museum director was prodding the poor creature from behind.
I was drawn to a Victorian Mourning Wreath made of human hair and displayed inside a shadow box. Its woven curls and twisted strands resembled the fine detail of Chantilly lace. Christian explained that wreaths could have been fashioned solely from the hair of the deceased or a composite of the entire family, and this one was made here in Seattle!
If you are a doctor looking for a human skeleton to hang in your office or a medicine man in search of a charming owl skull replica on a chain, a visit here is worth your while. But, no matter “which doctor” you are, quell your curiosity and check out quaint curios in this eccentric emporium and definitely bring the kids. They will love it.
The website for The Belfry is www.thebelfryoddities.com.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.