Cast of a grave slab

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This is a fibreglass cast of a graveslab from Finlaggan on Islay in the Inner Hebrides. The slab dates from the mid 16th century.

The slab bears a low relief effigy of Donald MacGill'easbuig, crown tenant of Finlaggan. He is depicted in West Highland armour carrying a sword. Below is a galley. The slab implies his status as a mercenary leader in the wars in Ireland.

Carved stone graveslabs are found throughout the West Highlands, commissioned as memorials to important or influential people. The carvers of these stones were local craftsmen, although they may have travelled around the Highlands and Islands.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-046-134-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1992.15
• Date: Mid 16th century
  
• Material: Fibre glass
  Grave slab / cast
  
• Dimensions: 1870 mm L
  
• What: Grave slab / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: Donald McIllaspy
  National Museums of Scotland, Scotland (Maker)
  
• Where: SCOTLAND
  Scotland, Argyll, Islay, Finlaggan
  
• Event:
• Description: Fibre glass cast of a grave slab possibly made for Donald McIllaspy who held the lands of Finlaggan in 1541, made by the National Museums of Scotland
  
• References:
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