Exeter Riddle Sculpture
This folded stainless-steel triangular sculpture is the latest addition to Exeter High Street. Made by the artist Michael Fairfax, it has alternate 'wings' with verses from the Exeter Riddles which date from the circa 960AD, Exeter Book, the earliest known example of Anglo Saxon poetry in existence.
The book is not quite complete, as it has been used as a mediaval carpenters chopping block, had glue spilt on it and suffered from scorching at some point. The riddles have been translated into modern English and engraved on the wings of the piece, in reverse. A careful choice of riddles was made, as many were either too long or obscene. The verses can be read, by looking at their reflection in the adjacent 'wing'. Between each pair of 'wings' is a polished, stainless-steel sphere on which is engraved the answer to the riddle.
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