Cross (piece)

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This piece of a sculptured sandstone cross shaft was found at Borthwick in Midlothian. It was probably carved in the 10th or 11th century.

Three panels survive on the cross shaft. The top two have crudely executed interlace decoration. The bottom one depicts animals, also crudely carved. The lower one has rabbit-like ears and is almost completed obscured by the base.

With the spread of Christianity, sculptured stones for architectural panels, shrines and crosses were carved. Some of the surviving work is very accomplished. Others are obviously copies, some more successful than others.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-160-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 146
• Date: 10th - 11th century
  10th or 11th century
  
• Material: Sculptured, with three panels, with different ornamentation
  Slab
  
• Dimensions: 32" x 9" x 6"
  
• What: Slab
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Borders, JedburghScotland, Jedburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Borthwick
  
• Event:
• Description: Sculptured slab of sandstone from Borthwick, Midlothian, 10th or 11th century
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, p 422. 
• Translations:
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