Sculptured stone (piece)

Add to album

This piece of a sculptured stone is one of a number of early Christian stones found at Rosemarkie on the Black Isle in Ross-shire, probably the site of an early monastery. The stone was carved between 700 and 900.

The carving shows a wolf or lion-like animal biting a man with short hair and a pointed beard. The legs of another beast are above him, the head of another below and a muzzle of another to the right. The scene probably portrays Daniel in the lion's den.

The eastern Ross-shire area is rich in Pictish carvings, showing a wealthy church able to commission a variety of carvings. Many of the stones blend Pictish symbols with Christian crosses and scenes, in carvings which relate to manuscript and metalwork.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-043-483-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 127
• Date: Between 700 and 900
  
• Material: Sandstone; with man's head between heads of two animals, showing snout of third animal and feet of fourth
  Slab / portion
  
• Dimensions: 11.00" x 9.00"
  
• What: Slab / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Rosemarkie
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of a sandstone slab possibly showing Daniel in the lions' den, from Rosemarkie, Ross and Cromarty
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, pp 86-7. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: