Blackford Churchyard. Detail of gravestone, W.G.M.H, 1751. Digital image of PT 14739/1

Description Blackford Churchyard. Detail of gravestone, W.G.M.H, 1751. Digital image of PT 14739/1

Date 1984

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

Catalogue Number SC 803302

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of PT 14739/1

Scope and Content Gravestone of 'T H' and M G', Blackford Church and Churchyard, Blackford, Perth & Kinross This stone, although very weathered, clearly shows a winged soul in its tympanum (top part). This common feature symbolises the soul ascending to Heaven after death. Below the soul is a portrait of a husband and wife, arm in arm. The lady seems to hold an open book (probably meant to be the Bible) in her left hand. The lower panel contains a row of well-preserved death emblems, including an hourglass (emblem of life's brevity), a scythe (one of the weapons of Death), crossed bones and a skull. The shield in the centre is carved with a cross-shaped object, perhaps an emblem from a family crest. The couple are shown as united in life and death, arm in arm. The book in the lady's hand symbolises their piety, and the soul above their hope in Heaven and an afterlife. The grisly 'footnote' of death emblems at the base of the stone remind those left behind to lead similarly virtuous lives, and to prepare for eternity. This shows the gravestone of 'T H' and 'M G', which is dated 1731. The initials probably relate to a husband and wife, as shown in the carving below. The second initials are different because married women in Scotland traditionally kept their maiden names. A band across the lower part of the stone is inscribed: 'MEMENTO MORI' (remember you must die). Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/803302

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap