Field Visit

Date 1 November 1995 - 30 November 1995

Event ID 546087

Category Recording

Type Field Visit

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/546087

This sculptured cross stands 750m SW of Dupplin Castle (NO01NE 22.00) and 400m ENE of Bankhead steading (NO01NW 114) in a field called 'Cross Park'. It is a free-standing cross of Old Red Sandstone, measuring 2.62m high and 0.94m wide across the arms. The shaft is 0.46m by 0.33m wide wide at the bottom, tapering upwards to 0.39m by 0.29m at the top of the shaft, and 0.24m at the apex of the cross. All four faces are sculptured in relief. The numbers in brackets refer to the illustrations published in Anderson and Allen:

Front. The head of the cross is surrounded by a roll-moulding (which makes single spiral curves at each of the points of the cusped hollows between the arms) and has a raised circular boss in the centre ornamented with a diaper key-pattern (No. 1015) and ribbed border. Surrounding the central boss, the four arms form one panel, containing spiral-work (No. 1054), and some other ornament which is too defaced to be deciphered. The shaft is divided into three panels (the two upper ones being separated by a border of square key-pattern (No. 899): the top panel contains defaced sculpture; the middle panel, a raised circular boss of interlaced-work (No. 789) surrounded by four pairs of birds with their beaks and legs crossed and interlaced; and the bottom panel, David rending the lion?s jaws, and beasts in the background.

Right side. On the upper arm there are two panels, the upper containing interlaced-work (No. 533); and the lower a diagonal key-pattern (No.952). On the end of the right arm, a single panel contains a diaper key pattern (No.1004). On the under surface of the right arm, there is a single beast with its head bent back biting its tail. On the lower arm, a single panel contains a mixed key and spiral-pattern (No. 950), with a narrow horizontal border of square key-pattern (No. 887) below it. On the shaft there are three panels, the upper two separated by a horizontal band of diagonal key-pattern (No. 926): the top panel and contains a pair of beasts sitting on their ches facing each other, with their paws crossed over on each other's necks; on the middle, there are two warriors on foot, armed with spears, with is ornamented with a border of square key-pattern (No. 887); and at the bottom there is a triquetra knot (No. 802).

Back. The head of the cross has a similar moulding round it to that on the front, and a raised circular boss in the centre, although the ornament on this has been defaced. It is divided into two panels, containing on the upper part of the top arm, a diagonal key-pattern (No. 952); and on the remaining part of the head, scroll foliage. The shaft is divided into three panels separated by bands of square key-patterns (Nos. 887 and 890): The top panel contains a warrior on horseback armed with a spear; the middle panel, four foot-soldiers armed with spears and circular shields; and the bottom, a hound and another animal.

Left side. On the upper arm there are two panels, the top one containing interlaced-work (No. 538) and the bottom one a square key-pattern (No. 909). On the end of the right arm, there is a single panel containing a diagonal key-pattern (No.951). On the under side of the left arm, a single panel contains a beast with its head bent back. On the lower arm, a single panel contains interlaced-work (No. 378). On the shaft there are three panels, the upper two separated by a horizontal band of square key-pattern (No. 890): the top panel contains a beast biting its tail, which is interlaced beneath the body; the middle panel depicts a man seated on a chair playing a harp (perhaps King David); and the bottom panel has a six-cord plait with a single break in the middle.