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St Vigeans, Sculptured Cross
Cross (9th Century) - (10th Century)
Site Name St Vigeans, Sculptured Cross
Classification Cross (9th Century) - (10th Century)
Canmore ID 35589
Site Number NO64SW 3.09
NGR NO 6383 4294
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/35589
![View of front face, with remains of boss, of cross-slab fragment, (St Vigeans no.9).) [black and white with scale]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/DP00020699.jpg)
![View of side face of cross-slab fragment, (St Vigeans no.9). [with scale]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/DP00020702.jpg)
![View of side face of cross-slab fragment, (St Vigeans no.9). [black and white]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/DP00020701.jpg)
![View of front face, with remains of boss, of cross-slab fragment, (St Vigeans no.9).) [black and white with scale]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/DP00020699.jpg)
![View of side face of cross-slab fragment, (St Vigeans no.9). [with scale]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/DP00020702.jpg)
![View of side face of cross-slab fragment, (St Vigeans no.9). [black and white]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/DP00020701.jpg)
- Council Angus
- Parish Arbroath And St Vigeans
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Angus
- Former County Angus
St Vigeans 9 (St Vigianus), Angus, cross-head fragment
Measurements: H 0.56m, W 0.33m, D arm 0.18m, central boss 0.32m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NO c 6384 4289
Present location: in St Vigeans Museum (HES).
Evidence for discovery: recorded in the mid nineteenth century, apparently in the churchyard, but by 1903 it was built into the exterior wall of the nave at the north-west angle. It was taken into St Vigeans Museum in 1960.
Present condition: broken and worn.
Description
What survives of this massive free-standing cross is the terminal of one arm and parts of an apparently infilled ring. Face F is assumed to be the underside of the arm because it has traces of carving whereas the upper face E is plain. There was a large circular boss on each of the main faces, A and C, but only that on face A remains intact. It is 210mm in diameter and 90mm high, conical in form and carved with interlocking triangles of interlace. The boss is surrounded by a band of petals and there are traces of interlace beyond, filling a panel edged by roll moulding. The ornament on face C appears to have been similar.
Date range: ninth or tenth century.
Primary references: ECMS pt 3, 269-70; Geddes 2017, no VIG009.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017
Reference (1964)
NO64SW 3.09 6383 4294.
No.9. High relief boss on the upper arm of a free-standing cross.
(There was another boss on the back). Decoration very much weathered. Removed from St Vigeans Church to museum in 1960 (NO 6383 4294).
S Cruden 1964
Note (2008)
Given the proportions of the surviving fragment, it is much more likely to be the side arm of a freestanding cross rather than the upper arm as described above.
Information from RCAHMS (JB) 2008
