From Cradle to Grave with Cradle

On a recent jaunt through Atlanta's sepulchral masterpiece, Oakland Cemetery, I was awed by a marvelous cradle carved atop a child's grave. Surprisingly, I can't say that I've seen that many cradles atop or in grave symbolism, so this particular grave fascinated me. Sadly, the work is unsigned and the marble has deteriorated quite a bit. I've adjusted the contrast on these photos so the cradle's details are more evident.

Grave of Joseph Dennis Wing, Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta.
Young Joseph died March 5, 1912. Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell
IV, all rights reserved.

Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

Charleston, South Carolina's Magnolia Cemetery contains a far more elaborate cradle marking the grave of Rosalie Raymond White. This grave is made all the more haunting by the addition of a death mask of the child underneath the hood of cradle.

Grave of Rosalie Raymond White, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston
South Carolina. Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all rights reserved.

The inscription reveals that Rosalie was less than a year old when
she died September 5, 1882. Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV, all
rights reserved.

Rosalie White's death mask. Photo 2011, by Lewis Powell IV,
all rights reserved.