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Borthwick Description of stone
Event ID 1009766
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1009766
Borthwick 1, Midlothian, cross-shaft fragment
Measurements: H 0.91m, W 0.25m, D 0.20m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NT 3688 5963
Present location: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh.
Evidence for discovery: found in Borthwick churchyard and donated to the museum sometime prior to 1889.
Present condition: broken at top and bottom and worn, but the carving is still clear.
Description
This fragment is part of a cross-shaft, carved in relief on one broad face with three panels of ornament separated by horizontal roll mouldings. The two upper panels contain very debased interlace, while the lowest panel contains two animals, the upper of which is a quadruped. Anderson recognised its resemblance to the ‘elephant’ or Pictish beast (1889, 351), and its clawed paws may be compared to the front paw of the beast on Rhynie 8. The lower part of the other animal is missing, but it has rabbit-like ears.
Date range: tenth century.
References: Anderson 1889, 351; ECMS pt 3, 421-2.
Compiled by A Ritchie 2016
