Kirriemuir

Kirriemuir 5 (St Mary), Angus, cross-slab

Measurements: H 0.67m, W 0.37m-0.43m, D 0.10m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NO 3895 5448

Present location: Meffan Museum and Gallery, Forfar

Evidence for discovery: recognised standing in the old parish churchyard in the nineteenth century. Moved to a shelter in the town cemetery in 1955 and thence, after conservation, to the Meffan Museum in 1992.

Present condition: slightly worn

Description

The flat-band border along the top and sides of face A of this slab is incised with a square key pattern, within which is a cross set on a shaft, with a double incised outline, wide arm pits and squared terminals in partial low relief. Ornamented panels flanking both the shaft and the upper arm of the cross are contained on the two edges adjacent to the cross with plain borders. The upper panels each contain a single knot and the lower panels a pair of knots, all single-cord with a median line to the cord. Faces B and D are plain, and face C bears a simpler version of the same design as face A, except that the lower panels contain single knots.

Date range: tenth century.

Primary references: ECMS pt 3, 261; RCAHMS 2003.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018