Douglas Mausoleum. Digital image of C 14938 CN

Description Douglas Mausoleum. Digital image of C 14938 CN

Date 25/5/1993

Catalogue Number SC 803754

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of C 14938 CN

Scope and Content Douglas Mausoleum, Burial-Ground, Kelton Parish Church, Dumfries & Galloway Built in an unusual, if not unique, style, the Douglas mausoleum evidently took its inspiration from the great monumental temples and pyramids of ancient Egypt, and perhaps also the architecture of the Far East. It is crafted from high quality ashlar stonework, that is, finely cut and jointed blocks of sandstone and has four imposing doorways. A pair of massive Doric columns flank the main entrance, which has the arms of the Douglases of Castle Douglas above. Projecting from the building are two huge, oversized cornices, which give the mausoleum the appearance of an oriental pagoda. Inside, the burial vault is reached by way of a narrow flight of steps, while marble plaques mark each interment. Mausolea became increasingly popular amongst the wealthy in the 17th century, banned from burying their dead within the church. However, these were not new inventions: the word mausoleum is derived from the great tomb built for a King Mausolos in Halicarnassus in the 4th century BC. Dating from 1820, this mausoleum was built for James Douglas by his son, William Douglas of Orchardton. Its unique appearance may be the work of Walter Newall, a Dumfries architect, who had worked on mausolea of similar design around this time. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/803754

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap