They've got a copy of the stone on the display showing how it might have been painted in different pigment schemes, one with the more expensive types of pigments used for illuminated gospels and the other more common earthy pigments.
Pretty neat to see them this way. Just like armorial achievement panels, these things were often richly painted, not bare stone.
The museum has a sword dedicated by one of the Graham families which is said to have belongs to James Graham, the Marquees of Monrtose, who was a brilliant military commander during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. He at first fought for the Covenanters and was a signatory, but later came to side with the king. He essentially wanted a state in which church and state were separated, not one in which religion held sway in all matters.
Among the other Pictish scene collages it has one which is identifiable as the story of Samson and the jawbone, in which he is captured, breaks free of his bindings and picks up a jawbone and then brags about how he'd killed a thousand men with nothing more than the jawbone of an ass. Apparently Pictish people found this biblical story particularly impressive.
They've got a copy of the stone on the display showing how it might have been painted in different pigment schemes, one with the more expensive types of pigments used for illuminated gospels and the other more common earthy pigments.
Pretty neat to see them this way. Just like armorial achievement panels, these things were often richly painted, not bare stone.
The museum has a couple Pictish stones from Inchbrayock, which as the name Inch implies, was once an island, but the space was filled in, a bit like Keith Inch in Peterhead.
This stone is by far the best and is known as the Sampson stone.
Among the other Pictish scene collages it has one which is identifiable as the story of Samson and the jawbone, in which he is captured, breaks free of his bindings and picks up a jawbone and then brags about how he'd killed a thousand men with nothing more than the jawbone of an ass. Apparently Pictish people found this biblical story particularly impressive.
Speaking of heads and likenesses, the museum has a copy of Napoleon's death mask courtesy of Lord Panmure. Panmure spent much of his life at Brechin castle, which I observed from the river beneath it. He's buried at the cathedral. Panmure was also a Burns fan and gave his widow an annuity of 50 pounds per year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_mask_of_Napoleon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Maule,_1st_Baron_Panmure
The museum has a couple Pictish stones from Inchbrayock, which as the name Inch implies, was once an island, but the space was filled in, a bit like Keith Inch in Peterhead.
This stone is by far the best and is known as the Sampson stone.
They've got a little exhibit about Burns in the museum, complete with a copy of Naismith's popular painting of the bard.
Speaking of heads and likenesses, the museum has a copy of Napoleon's death mask courtesy of Lord Panmure. Panmure spent much of his life at Brechin castle, which I observed from the river beneath it. He's buried at the cathedral. Panmure was also a Burns fan and gave his widow an annuity of 50 pounds per year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_mask_of_Napoleon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Maule,_1st_Baron_Panmure
Many businesses had recognizable carvings over the entrances to their buildings, initially so that people in eras of high illiteracy could recognize they were at the right place.
The carved head from the Turk's Head Inn, where Burns stayed survived in the local museum.
They've got a little exhibit about Burns in the museum, complete with a copy of Naismith's popular painting of the bard.
It must have been a memorable visit and a good long distance relationship to make such offers.
Interestingly, Robert Burns doesn't appeared to have actually slept at their house at 9-11 Bow Butts (I just like saying Butts). He stayed at the Turk's Head Inn on George street.
Many businesses had recognizable carvings over the entrances to their buildings, initially so that people in eras of high illiteracy could recognize they were at the right place.
The carved head from the Turk's Head Inn, where Burns stayed survived in the local museum.
James sent the money, but in the meantime, Robert Burns had died. James sent more money to his cousin's widow and also offered to take in and educate his cousin's young son, also named Robert.
It must have been a memorable visit and a good long distance relationship to make such offers.
Interestingly, Robert Burns doesn't appeared to have actually slept at their house at 9-11 Bow Butts (I just like saying Butts). He stayed at the Turk's Head Inn on George street.
In those days, you could go to jail for unpaid debts and the bill was due.
Here is a snippet from that letter:
‘O, James! Did you know the pride of my heart, you would feel doubly for me! Alas I am not used to beg!... Forgive me for once more mentioning by return of post.Save me from the horrors of a jail!’
James sent the money, but in the meantime, Robert Burns had died. James sent more money to his cousin's widow and also offered to take in and educate his cousin's young son, also named Robert.
He only met his cousin James on this one occasion, but they seemed to have a good relationship and corresponded frequently by mail. The relationship was good enough that Robert hit James up for 10 pounds in 1796, when he'd joined the militia and found out the uniform he'd ordered was going to cost more than he had sitting around.
In those days, you could go to jail for unpaid debts and the bill was due.
Here is a snippet from that letter:
‘O, James! Did you know the pride of my heart, you would feel doubly for me! Alas I am not used to beg!... Forgive me for once more mentioning by return of post.Save me from the horrors of a jail!’
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