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Edinburgh, The Meadows, Whale Jawbone
Arch (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Edinburgh, The Meadows, Whale Jawbone
Classification Arch (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Melville Drive
Canmore ID 124132
Site Number NT27SE 1988
NGR NT 25478 72579
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/124132
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
See also:
NT27SE 1983.00 Edinburgh, The Meadows, General
1983.01 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Sundial
1983.02 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Mason's Pillars
1983.03 Edinburgh, The Meadows, Edinburgh International Exhibition 1886 1983.05 Edinburgh, Middle Meadow Walk, Pillars
1983.06 Edinburgh, Middle Meadow Walk
Project (1997)
The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.
The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.
Field Visit (20 July 1999)
Four whale jawbones placed vertically on a rough square and meeting at the top (held with metal strut), to form arch at start of pathway across the Meadows. Circular cobbled area on ground within the arch.
Exhibited at the 'International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art' Edinburgh 1886 where the Shetland and Fair Isles Knitters' Stall was constructed of the jaw bones. Erected at the entrance to the east and west Meadows from the Middle Walk in 1887, after the Town Council of Edinburgh received a letter from Sheriff Thoms recommending the acceptance of the jawbones.
Inscriptions : On each of four bronze bands around bones approximately 90cm off ground
(incised and shaded lettering cast in the bronze):
FROM ZETLAND AND FAIR ISLE KNITTING STAND / EDINBURGH EXHIBITION 1886
Signatures : None
Design period : 1886
Year of unveiling : 1887
Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0065)
