Benvie Description of stone
Event ID 1033840
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1033840
Benvie, Angus, Pictish cross-slab
Measurements: H 0.91m above ground level, W 0.58m, D 0.10m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NO 3283 3145
Present location: McManus Museum and Art Gallery, Dundee (DUNMG 1991-173).
Evidence for discovery: first recorded in the mid nineteenth century in the churchyard, the stone was taken into the museum in Dundee in 1991. Excavation revealed that it was not in its original location.
Present condition: there is damage to faces D & E and to the right-hand side of face C, together with general weathering to the carved surfaces.
Description
This small cross-slab is carved in relief on four faces. Within a wide plain flat-band moulding on face A is a cross spanning the width and height of the slab, outlined with roll moulding. The upper and side arms have squared terminals and contain knotted serpents. The central part of the cross-head is plain apart from a central lozenge, and the armpits are circular. Another knotted serpent fills the shaft, this time with two median lines within the body. The spaces between the arms and on either side of the shaft are occupied by panels outlined by roll mouldings, the inner corners of which expand into pairs of spirals within each armpit. The top two panels contain frontal angels, and the lower panels contain pairs of entwined serpentine creatures. Those on the left face one another with a cruciform object between their jaws, while those on the right face away from one another.
Face C is bordered by a wide flat-band moulding, within which are two asymmetrical panels outlined by roll moulding, each containing a mounted warrior riding to the left. An extra decorative border partially surrounds the larger horseman in the top panel. Both warriors have heavy moustaches, pleated robes, circular shields slung on their left sides and a spear in their right hands. The upper horseman is accompanied by a small hound.
Narrow face B has a single panel filled with two entwined serpents, and face D is filled with square key pattern.
Date range: ninth century.
Primary references: Stuart 1856, pl 126; ECMS pt 3, 347-9.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018
