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Stone/stonework
grave marker Pillow stone

Object number

LDSAL704.1

Production date

10th century

Production place

East Anglia

Material

stone

Technique

Carving
incised

Dimensions

height: 335mm
width (At Top): 207mm
width (At Base): 212mm
depth: 92mm

Location

Royal Society of Chemistry -

Content description

Obverse: The panel is filled with a Latin cross in high relief that rises directly from the lower edge of the stone and is outlined by a continuous incised line. The centre of the cross is pierced by a small hole.

Reverse: The panel on this face is filled with the profile head of a beast turned to the left. The jaw is held open, although the muzzle is lost in the break to the stone on the upper left. The end of the lower jaw is marked by a protruding triangle and a small band under the eye. Two horizontal tendrils that terminate in fleshy curls on the right extend from the back of the head, while the body devolves into two strands that form a loop under the head and terminate in a series of curls, three of which hang down to the lower right-hand corner of the stone. Next to these and extending across the lower band to the left, are four semi-circular elements.

The carving is contained on both sides and across the top of the stone by a flat edge-moulding, and a broad, flat roughly dressed band across the bottom.

References

Reference (free text)

Antiquaries Journal, 1931, Vol xi, 133-5, pls.

Reference (free text)

Burgess, F., English Churchyard Memorials, fig. 12, 83.
    Saxon pillow stone; grave marker carved on one side with a Latin cross in high relief, and on the other with the body and head of a beast.