Portable altar

Add to album

This portable sandstone altar is from Coldingham Priory in Berwickshire. It dates from the 13th century.

The rectangular altar has five consecration crosses carved in its top surface.

Such altars may have been used for carrying from place to place, for use at masses where there was no fixed altar, or else set in timber-topped altars, perhaps sealing consecrated relics.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-100-000-365-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KG 78
• Date: 12th - 14th century
  13th century
  
• Material: Sandstone
  Altar, portable
  
• Dimensions: 279 x 254 x 38 mm
  
• What: Altar, portable
  
• Subject: Stone sculptures, carvings (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Berwickshire, Coldingham Priory
  
• Event:
• Description: Portable altar of sandstone with five incised crosses in circles, from Coldingham Priory, Berwickshire, 12th - 14th century
  
• References:
  • Caldwell, D. H. (ed). Angels, Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1982 
• Translations:
• Related Records: