Dried donkey's hoof travel memento found in Syria by Charis Schwarz
Object No. 2017/4/3-4
This donkey's hoof was found in a desert in Syria, in the Middle East, by Sydney motorcycling enthusiast, Charis Schwarz, in 1965 while riding a BMW motorcycle around the world with her partner, George. The unusual travel memento was kept for over 50 years as a good luck charm. It was also a reminder of a powerful and moving experience the couple had witnessed at the time hearing the playing of a rare playing Middle Eastern stringed instrument. While the Australian-born, Charis, was visiting Spain in 1964, fate intervened and she met the Swiss artist George. The soulmates knew that they would spend the rest of their lives together soon after meeting, with George exclaiming one evening while eating dinner at his house "this will be the first of many meals we share on this table." The pair purchased their new BMW motorcycle in Munich, Germany, which they used for two trips in the 1960s to ride across the world. They travelled to countries that were visited by few tourists including Syria, Iran, Costa Rica and Columbia. Their first trip around the world on 'DU', the bike's nickname, was to reach Ballarat, Victoria, to be married by Charis' father, a Baptist minister. It was 'rough and ready' travelling. To save money they avoided toll roads, slept next to the bike or sought shelter in abandoned buildings, police compounds and were occasionally taken into people's homes. Sometimes they cooked and ate fresh roadkill found on the road. Charis recounts their trip in her 2004 self-published book "Highlights of the Road: A Narrative" and all proceeds went towards establishing the Motorcycle Accident Rehabilitation Initiative (MARI) at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. The initiative started in 2007 after the Schwarz' donated $30,000 to the hospital as they wanted to give something to the motorcycling community and to a mode of transport they loved and embraced for over 50 years despite never having an accident themselves. The hospital collaborated with three of its internal departments to offer post-accident help including insurance, mobility, legality and physical/emotional trauma. This donkey's hoof is part of a large collection of motorcycle clothing, equipment, mementoes, documents and maps which accompanied the generous donation of George and Charis's vintage 1965 BMW motorcycle in 2017. Collectively, it is not only a fascinating account of the couple's travels but documents an intense relationship two riders have had with a motorcycle over a lifetime which is rarely so well recorded. Schwarz, Charis, 'Highlights of the Road: A Narrative', self-published, 2004. Dr Wings Bike Force, (2014), What is MARI?, TECHmosis, Australia, viewed 4th September 2017, < http://www.motorcyclegear.com.au/mari.html >. Motorcycle Council of NSW, (2017), About M.A.R.I, Motorcycle Council of NSW Inc., NSW, viewed 4th September 2017, < http://www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/352.html >. Chloe Appleby, Museum Studies intern, under the supervision of Margaret Simpson, Curator, September 2017.
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Summary
Object Statement
Donkeys hoof, bone / fur, collected by Charis Schwarz, Syria, 1965, part of a collection of unique travel mementoes acquired by George and Charis Schwarz while riding a 1965 BMW motorcycle around the world, 1965-1968
Physical Description
The object is a small, well preserved severed donkey's hoof with some bone attached. Fur and skin are still present and it has been mummified to the bone. Due to aging and exposure to elements, the colour of the hoof, bone, skin and fur has changed to a dark golden brown.
DIMENSIONS
Height
90 mm
Width
110 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The severed hoof has clearly been mummified from exposure to the natural elements in the desert. In order for remains to decay, bacteria needs water or moisture to flourish in order to decompose quickly. Deserts and cold climates prevent and/or hinder this process which preserves the remains. This natural form of mummification occurred to the donkey's hoof. Pradhan. R, (2015), How Do Mummies Stay Preserved for Such a Long Time?, Science ABC, USA, viewed 27th September 2017, <https://www.scienceabc.com/eyeopeners/how-did-mummies-stay-preserved-for-such-a-long-time.html >
HISTORY
Notes
The severed donkey's hoof was found by Charis Schwarz in Syria, 1965 during her first journey around the world alongside her partner, George. Charis found the hoof after the couple stopped to rest in the desert after becoming emotionally and physically exhausted from a powerful and moving performance by a rhabarber player. This instrument is rarely played in public and the gathering was dissolved by local law enforcement. During the chaos, George and Chris were escorted and protected back to their motorcycle to enable them to get away. After driving for as long as possible, the couple stopped to rest in the desert as they were so emotionally overwhelmed. While lying down, Charis found the donkey hoof in the sand and kept the memento as a lucky charm for the rest of their journey. Due to very limited space in their motorcycle saddle bags, which were largely taken up with motorcycle spare parts, sleeping bags and a small amount of clothing, space for any souvenirs was extremely limited. In each case what they did decide to keep, as illustrated with this donkey's hoof, had particular meaning and significance to them. Schwarz, Charis, 'Highlights of the Road: A Narrative', self-published, 2004, p.31.
SOURCE
Acquisition Date
23 January 2017
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