Playing piece

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This bone playing-piece was found at Urquhart Castle, near Drumnadrochit in Inverness-shire. It dates from the 15th or 16th century.

The piece is carved with a design of a horseman with an animal, like a rabbit, in the background.

Dating from the 12th century, Urquhart Castle commanded a strategic position on Loch Ness and was vital to the crown's control of the Highlands. It was partially blown up when evacuated by government forces in 1691 and thereafter decayed rapidly.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-000-273-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.HY 22
• Date: 15th or 16th century
  
• Material: Bone
  
• Dimensions: 31 mm D
  
• What:
• Subject: Finds from Urquhart Castle (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Glen Urquhart, Urquhart Castle
  
• Event:
• Description: Bone playing piece with a horseman in relief, from Urquhart Castle
  
• References:
  • Caldwell, D. H. (ed). Angels, Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1982 
• Translations:
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