St Vigeans

St Vigeans 13 (St Vigianus), Angus, recumbent grave slab fragment

Measurements: L 1.04m, W 0.38m, H 0.26m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NO c 6384 4289

Present location: in St Vigeans Museum (HES).

Evidence for discovery: found in 1871 re-used below ground level close to the north-west corner of the north aisle of the nave. Subsequently it was built into the internal face of the west wall of the nave. It was taken into St Vigeans Museum in 1960.

Present condition: the fragment is broken along the top and along the left-hand side, and the carving is worn and damaged in places.

Description

This is a slightly tapering recumbent grave-marker, carved in relief on its upper surface. It is bordered by a plain flat-band moulding, and a long central panel, divided into two, is also outlined by plain flat-band moulding. A wide strip between the inner and outer mouldings contains two inter-twined serpents along the long side, and a double row of outward-facing Stafford knots along the foot of the slab. Both serpent-bodies and cords have a median incised line. The lower panel contains a ringed cross with an inner incised line and an elongated upper arm terminating in a spiral at each corner. Above the cross is a quadruped with very long legs and a head on an elongated neck, which curves under its body to bite its tail. Above the animal is a disc containing four linked triquetra knots. A second, probably smaller, panel contained another ringed cross.

As reconstructed, the probable length of this monument would be about 1.3m.

Date range: ninth or tenth century.

Primary references: ECMS pt 3, 272-3; Geddes 2017, no VIG013.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017