Cross Shaft and Gravestone, Whithorn Priory3D ModelNoAI
This is a cross shaft which was re-used in the 1700s as a gravestone. The shaft is filled with a panel of irregular interlace, the strands of which are marked by central grooves. The unfinished back has a panel of irregular interlace.
In the 1700s, the MacLellans, an important local family as identified by the sheild, used the shaft as a gravestone. The letters ‘AM’ are the initials of the person whose grave was marked on the stone. We cannot know whether the head was removed from the cross before or after its re-use.
Another interesting feature of this stone is the grid which can just be seen under the interlace designs. At the bottom of the panel is a border of fretwork, giving an insight into the techniques used by the stone mason.
‘Whithorn School’ monuments like this were probably carved between 900 and 1100 AD. This stone can be found on display at the Whithorn Priory Museum.
Dimensions: 1180 x 530 x 160mm
Rae Project | WHP.EC.13
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