Meigle 1 Description of stone
Date 2018
Event ID 1039926
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1039926
Meigle 1, Perthshire, Pictish cross-slab
Measurements: H 2.25m +, W 1.07m, D 0.18m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NO 2872 4463
Present location: Meigle Museum.
Evidence for discovery: in the mid nineteenth century, the stone stood on the west side of the original gateway into the churchyard, to the north of the church.
Present condition: narrow faces D and E are damaged and there is overall wear to the carving.
Description
This substantial cross-slab had an earlier life in prehistory, for towards the foot of face C are carved numerous cup marks and cup-and-ring marks, which suggest that it was either a standing stone or an exposed rock surface. In early medieval times it was shaped at the top, probably to form a rounded outline, and it was carved in relief on both broad faces. Face A is edged with a narrow roll moulding, and the entire visible face is spanned by an elaborate cross, also outlined by roll mouldings. The cross-head has rectangular terminals to the arms, deeply rounded armpits closed by arcs and a central roundel. The roundel is filled with seven interlinked spirals, the top arm with triangular knotwork, the side arms with a different form of triangular knotwork and the shaft with two roundels of triangular knotwork. The effect of the knotwork, especially in the top arm and the shaft, offers additional crosses. At the foot of the shaft an extra roll moulding creates the impression of a waisted pedestal filled with interlaced median-incised cords, with a triquetra knot above the waist.
The background to the cross bears all manner of zoomorphic ornament. The top arm of the cross is flanked by single animals with large snouts, while below the side-arms on the right is a pair of intertwined sea-horses above a quadruped whose tail ends in a serpent grasping another serpent in its jaws. To the left of the shaft there is a horned animal above a creature with an elongated body that curves round to form a spiral, its hind legs astride its own midriff. Below are an S-beast and a sea-horse.
Face C is busy, above the cupmarks, with animals, horsemen and symbols. At the top a large salmon faces right above a serpent and Z-rod and a mirror and comb. Tucked in between the top two symbols are a tiny Pictish beast, a triquetra knot and a beast’s head, and an animal lying down completes the group. The lower part of the stone is mostly filled with a hunting scene, composed of five horsemen and at least one hound, all facing left, with on the periphery a winged figure, a kneeling camel and another spiralled animal.
Date: eighth or ninth century.
References: ECMS pt 3, 296-7; RCAHMS 1994, 98; Fraser 2008, no 189.1.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018
