St Vigeans Churchyard. Headstone. Digital image of AN 5414/4

Description St Vigeans Churchyard. Headstone. Digital image of AN 5414/4

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 799395

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of AN 5414/4

Scope and Content Gravestone of a weaver/cooper/mason, St Vigeans Parish Church and Churchyard, Angus This gravestone features a fine carving of a winged soul (symbol of the spirit ascending to Heaven after death), which seems to be a portrait of the dead person wearing a curled periwig. These were very fashionable for men in the 18th century. Below the soul is a shield surrounded by a helmet and mantling (leafy drapery), containing the emblems of a weaver, mason and cooper. Around the shield are roses (emblems of rebirth) and a tiny upside-down heart (bottom), and emblem of love. The three different trade emblems on this gravestone are unusual. Perhaps they represent the trades of several members of the same family, or the activities of one man who turned his hand to various occupations during his life. The inscription on this gravestone is not visible, as it has been placed against a wall in the churchyard. The emblems within the shield in the centre of the stone are very confusing, suggesting the deceased was a weaver (leopards' heads with shuttles in their mouths), mason (dividers) and a cooper (cooper's hammer, used in barrel making). Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/799395

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap