Detail of Atholl emblems in relief on obelisk. Digital image of PT 4255.

Description Detail of Atholl emblems in relief on obelisk. Digital image of PT 4255.

Date 22/10/1973

Catalogue Number SC 767268

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of PT 4255

Scope and Content Detail of obelisk, Blair Castle, Perth & Kinross This shows two carvings on a large square stone block supporting an obelisk built in 1742 by sculptor John Cheere (1709-87) within the castle grounds. On the left is a representation of the duke's coronet (small crown), and on the right, the figure of a 'savage' holding a sword and key. Both motifs appear above the coat of arms of the Duke of Atholl. The 2nd Duke of Atholl paid £16 for this obelisk on 23rd June 1742, and accounts describe it as being made from Portland stone and 'carv'd in ye four fronts'. Transporting this large piece of sculpture safely required '2 dozen and ten iron braces', and instructions for setting it up on arrival suggest a 'foundation of brick or stone work about two foot in ye ground for ye obelisk to stand on'. Blair Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Atholl, was begun in 1269, extended in the 15th and 16th centuries, and remodelled to resemble a Georgian mansion by architect James Winter in the mid-1700s. The south-east wing was built in 1743-5, and rebuilt to include a clock tower to designs by architect Archibald Elliot in 1814 after a fire. The castle was 're-baronialised' to designs by architect David Bryce in 1869-71, who also designed the ballroom (1826-7). It was modified again in 1886 (J C Walker), 1904-5 (J McIntyre Henry) and 1920-1 (Sir Robert Lorimer). Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/767268

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap