Glenferness symbol stone

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The Pictish symbol stone Glenferness (including The Princess Stone called) is a stone category Class II. It is southwest of Glenferness House, near the River Findhorn , south of Nairn in Inverness-shire in the Highlands in Scotland , dating from the eighth or 9th century.

It was discovered by J. Stuart in the middle of the 19th century. It is believed that the stone was broken when it was moved in the late 19th century. The three parts were connected and supported by concrete posts on either side. The edge of the upper part is missing from the heavily weathered Pictish symbol stone . The sandstone stone has a height of 1.68 m, a width of 0.66 m and a thickness of 0.1 m. The rectangular plate with a rounded top is decorated in relief on both broad sides and on the vertical narrow sides. Each side is framed by an edge profile.

description

On one side, an equal-armed cross with four only slightly recessed round cavities was carved so high into the top that the upper, completely weathered parts must have been blunted so that the end of the shaft fits into the point. The arms, which are only preserved in remnants, are filled with knot patterns . In the lower part there are two pairs of double spirals and worn S-shaped ornaments. A small plaque in the middle of the base contains two hugging human figures.

The other side is divided into an upper weathered area with a possibly zoomorphic pattern and the main panel with Pictish symbols: a small Pictish Beast over a small crescent moon and a V-staff, next to it a crouching archer with a cross arch, underneath a large double disc and a Z-rod over a large Pictish Beast.

The narrow sides covered by the concrete supports are provided with wickerwork that may have continued at the top.

classification

In "The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland" (1903) John Romilly Allen (1847-1907) and Joseph Anderson (1832-1916) classified the stones in three classes. Critics have noted weaknesses in the system, but it continues to be used. Class 2: stones with a more or less rectangular shape with a large cross and symbols on one or both sides. The symbols as well as the Christian motifs are created as a relief and the cross with its surroundings is filled with designs. The stones date from the 8th and 9th centuries.

About 350 stones are currently known, but new ones are constantly being discovered.

literature

  • S. Farrell: Glenferness, Highland (Ardclach parish), survey , Discovery Excav Scot, vol. 1, 2000.
  • A. Mack: Field guide to the Pictish symbol stones . Balgavies 1997, Angus. P. 108

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ References: Stuart 1856, pl 24; ECMS, item 3, 115-16; Fraser 2008, # 116, Desk-based information, compiled by A Ritchie 2018

Coordinates: 57 ° 27 ′ 40.3 "  N , 3 ° 46 ′ 27.7"  W.