Forteviot

Forteviot 2, Perthshire, carved architectural arch

Measurements: external diameter of arch 2.01m, internal diameter 1.20m, D 0.33m

Stone type: sandstone

Place of discovery: NO 049 175

Present location: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh (X.IB.36).

Evidence for discovery: found in the bed of the Water of May at Forteviot a few years prior to 1832, when it was drawn by Skene. Initially it was taken to Freeland House at Forgandenny and in 1874 it was given to NMAS.

Present condition: either end of the arch is broken and the back is rough, but the carving is in good condition.

Description

One face of the arch is carved as a single panel in false relief, with incised details. The panel is bordered by a wide and plain flat-band moulding with an inner roll moulding. In the centre of the arch is a cross, the head of which appears to have been deliberately defaced, but enough survives to show that it had short squared arms. Its shouldered shaft is outlined by a roll moulding, and it contains incised vertical wavy lines. To the right of the cross is a large lamb sitting upright on its tail, with its legs braced against the cross. To the right of the lamb are two figures almost swaddled by their hooded robes, each with a pronounced moustache and holding a staff. A similar but larger figure to the left of the cross is shown reclining, holding a staff in both hands, with a small lamb at his feet.

Date range: ninth century.

Primary references: Skene 1832, 7; ECMS pt 3, 325; Henderson & Henderson 2004, 144-5; Aitchison 2006, part 2; Hall 2011, 141-3.

Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2018

NO01NW 16.1 centred 049 175

NMS IB 36.

(Undated) information in NMRS.