Culross Abbey

Culross 2 (St Serf), Fife, cross-shaft fragment

Measurements: H 0.72m, W 0.44m, D 0.19m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NS c 988 862

Evidence for discovery: first recorded in 1926 ‘resting against the wall of the church near the entrance door’. It was soon afterwards cemented into the socket of Culross 1 cross-base, despite it being far too small for the socket. Both were later taken into the church, and now stand set into a large wooden log.

Present condition: very worn, broken top and bottom.

Description

This fragment is part of a slender cross-shaft. Both broad faces are now devoid of ornament but are likely once to have been carved. Face B bears parts of two panels of ornament carved in relief and bordered by plain flat-band mouldings: the upper panel contains interlace within a narrow roll moulding, while the lower panel contains an angular scroll with diagonal strands and single berries, again bordered by narrow roll moulding. Face D is carved with a panel of diagonal key pattern bordered by a narrow roll moulding.

Date range: eighth or ninth century.

Primary references: Douglas 1926, 67-8.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017

NS98NE 3.2 9886 8624 and 9887 8624.

There are three 8th or 9th century Celtic stones at Culross Church (W Douglas 1926). "A" is the base of a cross-shaft, 3'6" x 1'11" x 2' 4 1/2", ornamented with knot-work. Within its socket is "B", a fragment of an unrelated cross-shaft, 2'7" high, ornamented with fret and scroll-work on its sides. Stone "C", also apparently a fragment of a cross-shaft, is embedded in the ground bordering the steps of the NE corner of the graveyard.

W Douglas 1926; RCAHMS 1933.