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Full view of the east face with a centaur and other beasts in the top panel, notched rectangle and Z-rod below, Pictish beast below that, and mirror and comb at the bottom. The triangular notch two thirds up the right-hand side is later damage that follows a natural crack in the granite. The notch at the very base was there from the start and the sculptor or sculptors worked with it. Large Image (119kb 564x800) |
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Detail of the mirror and comb. Some interlace is visible on the face of the notch at the lower right. Large Image (127kb 800x567) |
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Detail of the Pictish beast. Large Image (142kb 800x592) |
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Detail of the notched rectangle and Z-rod. Large Image (154kb 558x800) |
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Detail of the top panel with a centaur and other, less definite, creatures. Large Image (80kb 800x680) |
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Detail of the spiral and knot-work panel at the base of the west face. Large Image (184kb 800x737) |
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Detail of the knot-work. Large Image (125kb 800x577) |
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Detail of the spiral. Large Image (161kb 800x641) |
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The west cross-face. A ringed cross fills the centre panel with a circular knot-work and spiral panel at the base and a man with "sea monsters" at the top. Large Image (98kb 489x800) |
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The interlacing on the south edge of the stone. Large Image (92kb 438x800) |
This beautiful class II Pictish cross slab, carved in pink granite, is thought to date from the second half of the 9th century AD.
On one side is a very damaged carving consisting of: a circular knot work and spiral pattern at the base; a ringed cross in the centre panel; a man with "sea monsters" to either side of him at the top - possibly Jonah and two whales...a not uncommon theme.
The other side has splendidly carved Pictish symbols: at the bottom is a mirror and comb; above this, a Pictish beast; then a notched rectangle and Z-rod; and at the top is a damaged panel with a centaur and other less clear beasts.
Down either side of the stone are interlace patterns.
The stone stands about ten feet tall, three feet broad, and six inches thick.