Section of a stone cross

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This section of a sculptured cross was found in 1863, built into the wall of a manse garden at Aberlady. The decoration shows clear Northumbrian influence. It was carved between 700 and 800.

Like the other broad side, this side is framed and divided into panels. It depicts four birds symmetrically arranged with their necks interwoven and their legs drawn out into interlaced strands.

The Northumbrian Angles controlled the southeast Lowlands from the 7th century until 973. They had considerable influence on art styles and brought a form of Christianity derived from Roman rather than Celtic traditions.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-225-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 298
• Date: 7th or 8th century
  Between 700 and 800
  
• Material: Stone; sculptured; on the front two panels, one with entwined animals, the other with an angel; on the back a panel with four entwined birds and part of another panel filled with key pattern
  Cross shaft / portion
  
• Dimensions: 1460 mm H x 190 mm L x 210 mm W
  
• What: Cross shaft / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Aberlady
  
• Event:
• Description: Part of an Anglo-Saxon sculptured cross shaft with two panels in the front, one with entwined animals, the other with an angel, from Aberlady, 7th or 8th century
  
• References:
  • Close-Brooks, J. & Stevenson, R.B.K. Dark Age Sculpture. Edinburgh: HMSO, 1982 
• Translations:
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