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Maiden Stone

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Large image (564x800 - 119k) 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 (800x567 - 127k) Detail of the mirror and comb. Some interlace is visible on the face of the notch at the lower right.
Large image (800x592 - 142k) Detail of the Pictish beast.
Large image (558x800 - 154k) Detail of the notched rectangle and Z-rod.
Large image (800x680 - 80k) Detail of the top panel with a centaur and other, less definite, creatures.
Large image (800x737 - 184k) Detail of the spiral and knot-work panel at the base of the west face.
Large image (800x577 - 125k) Detail of the knot-work.
Large image (800x641 - 161k) Detail of the spiral.
Large image (489x800 - 98k) 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 (438x800 - 92k) The interlacing on the south edge of the stone.

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.

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