Drosten Pictish stone
Type:
Sculptures
Date:
ninth century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Scotland
Medium:
Stone
Dimensions:
174 × 55 × 18 cm
Description:
The Drosten Stone is one of thirty-eight Pictish stones found in the Scottish village of St. Vigeans. They originally stood outdoors around the village church but are now in the local museum. The Drosten Stone is a sandstone slab is carved in relief, with a cross on one side and Pictish images and symbols on the other. One narrow side is carved with a vine scroll, the other with interlace, and under the latter is an inscription in Latin letters that reads "Drosten: Epeuoret Ettforcus," which may mean "Drosten, in the time of Uoret and Forcus." Drosten is a Pictish name and also the name of a saint; Forcus is Old Irish for Fergus; ett is Latin. If Uoret is the same as Uurad, king from 839 to 842, this would be a rare Pictish work that can be closely dated.
The Picts began to carve stone slabs by the eighth century, inspired by artistic developments in Northumbria. By that time they had largely converted to Christianity. The cross side is filled with interlace and flanked by animals and hybrid creatures that may represent malign forces repelled by the cross. At the upper left is a crouching figure, perhaps a demon. On the other side are scenes with animals, including a raptor with a fish and a nursing fawn; a hooded boar hunter with a crossbow; and Pictish symbols that include a mirror, crescent, a double disk with a Z-rod. The meanings of these symbols and images, which are very common on Pictish stones, is unknown. The sandstone used for this work came from about eleven miles away, so its transportation required technical and political skill.
The Picts began to carve stone slabs by the eighth century, inspired by artistic developments in Northumbria. By that time they had largely converted to Christianity. The cross side is filled with interlace and flanked by animals and hybrid creatures that may represent malign forces repelled by the cross. At the upper left is a crouching figure, perhaps a demon. On the other side are scenes with animals, including a raptor with a fish and a nursing fawn; a hooded boar hunter with a crossbow; and Pictish symbols that include a mirror, crescent, a double disk with a Z-rod. The meanings of these symbols and images, which are very common on Pictish stones, is unknown. The sandstone used for this work came from about eleven miles away, so its transportation required technical and political skill.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
5
Repository and Online Resources:
• Read more about the Drosten Stone on the Historic Environment Scotland website.
Image Credits:
Linda Safran
