art medieval scotland art medieval scotland includes forms artistic production modern borders scotland fifth century adoption renaissance early sixteenth century early middle ages distinct material cultures evident different kingdoms scotland art uniquely style seen extensive survival carved stones particularly north east country hold variety recurring images patterns seen elaborate metal work largely survives buried irish scots art kingdom suggests places crossroads cultures style developed art given common style developed britain ireland eighth century highly influential continental europe contributed development gothic styles seen elaborate jewellery making extensive use semi precious stones heavily carved high crosses found particularly highlands islands distributed country particularly highly decorated illustrated manuscripts book begun wholly created monastic centre scotland adopted style relatively late retained revived elements style gothic style dominant thirteenth century best scottish artwork high late middle ages religious nature realised metal survived impact time reformation examples sculpture extant church architecture including evidence elaborate church interiors thirteenth century relatively large numbers monumental native seen variety items visual illustration seen illumination charters occasional church paintings surviving copies individual portraits relatively crude impressive works artists commissioned continent particularly netherlands early middle ages stones stones survive assigned scholars classes class stones thought date period seventh century numerous group stones largely include symbols animals fish beast everyday objects mirrors tuning abstract symbols defined names including rod double disc rod found greatest concentrations modern good examples include stones angus class stones carefully shaped dating arrival christianity eighth ninth centuries cross face wide range symbols reverse smaller numbers class stones southern perth angus good examples include contains finely executed celtic cross main face opposing male figures deer head triple disc symbol angus shows high boat figure facing forward class iii stones thought overlap class stones shaped cross scenes lacking symbols widely distributed southern areas items found earlier appear considerable silver available probably raiding south payment subsidies large late roman found originated way largest early found law unfortunately dispersed melted heavy silver chains metres long found period double linked ring symbol decoration including shows probably silver silver objects contains best collection late forms christian period style stone carving gradually merged anglo saxon viking styles irish scots art suggested kingdom cross roads artistic styles ireland scots settlers kept close contacts seen representations found excavations fortress combine irish elements included extensive evidence production high status jewellery seventh century indicate production pieces similar found elements suggest irish origins finds including trumpet spiral decorated hanging bowl disc stamped animal decoration bucket drinking horn indicate ways locations style developed eighth ninth centuries elite adopted true ireland older irish pseudo adapted style example eighth century elements irish style early anglo saxon art early examples art largely particularly jewellery survived pagan exceptional items carved thought produced early eighth century combines pagan classical christian motifs known pagan burial scotland contains necklace similar found mid seventh century southern england isolated finds include gold object shaped like truncated pyramid similar sword harness mounts found shaped ring inscription eastern scotland seventh century sword sands drinking horn mount seventh century artistic styles reached interacted ireland scotland common style historians identified art art art given common style produced scotland britain seventh century combining celtic forms surviving examples art found carving mainly illuminated manuscripts manuscripts surfaces highly decorated intricate attempt impression depth volume recession best examples include book wholly partly created book ireland carpet pages characteristic feature manuscripts initials invention canon tables especially portraits common finest era style brought end disruption monastic centres aristocratic life viking raids late eighth century christianity discouraged burial grave goods majority examples survive christian period found archaeological contexts suggest rapidly hidden lost abandoned exceptions notably portable books relics continuously owned churches continent scotland highest quality secular jewellery largest elaborate pieces probably male finest church pieces probably secular workshops attached royal household pieces monastic workshops number large designs wholly individual detail varied elements designs directly related elements manuscripts surviving stones decoration semi precious ones amber rock crystal coloured glass glass probably imported major manuscripts like book preserved elaborate metal covers documentary evidence indicates spectacular remaining continental examples significant sculpture high crosses large free standing stone crosses usually carved relief patterns biblical occasionally inscriptions tradition begun ireland spread scotland found british isles feature stone ring intersection forming celtic cross apparently innovation begun distribution scotland heaviest highlands islands dated period surviving crosses stone indications large numbers wooden crosses existed scotland biblical common ireland subject king david relatively frequently depicted east influence sculpture seen areas viking occupation settlement crosses tenth twelfth centuries distinctive scandinavian patterns mixed native styles important examples dated eighth century include cross anglo saxon cross scottish mission continent art highly influential subsequent art especially decorative elements gothic styles viking age art viking art avoided favouring animal motifs create ornamental patterns ribbon important plant motifs fashionable tenth eleventh centuries scottish artefacts come pagan north west mid ninth mid tenth centuries include jewellery weapons occasional elaborate high status items impressive boat burial contained elaborate sword arrows bone gaming pieces dragon plaque probably scandinavia west boat burial revealed sword shield iron scales celtic origin combination viking celtic styles style looped pin inches diameter traces probably housed piece amber surrounded conversion christianity tenth twelfth centuries stone crosses cross viking occupied areas highlands islands carved successive styles viking frequently mixed native animal patterns examples include eleventh century cross slab island plant motifs cross shaft based style viking art famous artistic find modern scotland lewis probably trondheim norway contain decoration influenced celtic patterns late middle ages architecture sculpture architectural evidence suggests style peaked europe later eleventh early twelfth century reaching scotland second half twelfth century revived late fifteenth century reaction english perpendicular style come dominate best scottish artwork high late middle ages religious nature realised metal survived impact time reformation examples sculpture extant church architecture small number significant crafted items survived end period evidence painting particularly extensive commissioning works low countries france interiors churches elaborate reformation highly decorated houses like ones surviving carvings created mid fifteenth century depicting progression seven deadly sins considered finest gothic style monumental began appear churches thirteenth century usually fully coloured founders patrons churches including members clergy knights wives contrast england fashion stone carved monuments gave way brass continued produced end medieval period largest group dating fifteenth century including elaborate douglas tombs town douglas best continental artists employed robert elaborate tomb lifetime sculptor fragments survive greatest group surviving sculpture period beginning fourteenth century patronage isles continuing reformation common motifs ships swords vine leaf celtic elements decorative arts late medieval church fittings objects scotland exceptionally rare compared comparable areas like england norway probably destruction scottish elite church participated culture stretching europe objects survive imported difficult decide country creation work international styles produced scotland pieces retaining distinctive local styles secular small carved panels metal fittings illustrate aspects scottish arts similar probably workshop boxes jewellery documents overall form follows french examples locks metal bands decorated gothic style simple decorations egg panels carved relief late form interwoven characteristic late medieval key examples native items include earliest surviving drinking cup type maple wood elaborate silver ornamentation dated probably earl fourteenth century looted english mid sixteenth century significant survive examples habit celtic church treating possessions bones saints relics irish examples partly reworked elaborated intervals long period elements century eleventh fifteenth twelfth fifteenth century mid twelfth century piece single elaborate piece carved ivory warriors carrying shields framework vegetation thought scottish mid thirteenth century aspects similar english norwegian pieces largest groups surviving works art seal appear entered scottish usage reign david beginning royal court anglo norman began spread areas country compulsory barons king statute seal high standards skill examples items probably work continental artists include delicate hanging lamp perth medieval glasgow illumination painting manuscript illumination continued late middle ages moving elaborate charters like confirming rights little painting scottish churches survives surviving doom painting scotland near painted artist elaborate paintings eighteen miles away england monarchy model portraits royalty copies versions native royal portraits survive generally crude continental standards impressive works artists imported continent particularly netherlands generally considered centre painting products connections included fine portrait images brought edinburgh commissioned work flemish master scotland named relatively large number elaborate books late fifteenth early sixteenth centuries usually produced low countries france scottish patrons including prayer book commissioned flemish illustrated book hours known hours james scotland given described finest medieval manuscript commissioned scottish use
Art in Medieval Scotland