Sculptured stones

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These sculptured stones come from a house in the Netherbow in Edinburgh. They date from the 16th century.

The stones have Renaissance-style busts of Adam and Eve, and a Latin inscription in Gothic script. The inscription, which is taken from the Book of Genesis, translates as: 'With sweat on your brow shall you eat your bread'.

By the 18th century, the busts had been mistakenly identified as Roman carvings of the Emperor Septimus Severus and his wife Julia. In fact, Adam and Eve were often used as symbols by baxters (bakers).

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-000-351-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KG 41
• Date: 16th century
  
• Material: Stone. Inscription: IN SUDORE VULTUS TUI VESCERIS PANE TUO
  Panel
  
• Dimensions: 580 mm H x 500 mm W x 180 mm Th (measurement per panel)
  
• What: Panel
  
• Subject: Stone sculptures, carvings (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh (Netherbow)
  
• Event:
• Description: Sculptured stone panels showing a male and female bust and the inscription "IN SUDORE VULTUS TUI VESCERIS PANE TUO", from the Netherbow, Edinburgh
  
• References:
• Translations:
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