| Marriage Stone |
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PURPOSE Marriage stones serve as a record of a marriage, especially important in aristocratic families and also sometimes practiced amongst the newly established and monied middle classes. They were sometimes added to a building which was constructed specifically as the new family home for the married couple, especially when the dowry was large, or were carved into a pre-existing lintel. The stones also clearly indicated the ownership of the building to onlookers at the time as well as serving as a record for posterity of both marital bliss and often also of social advancement.McKean, Charles (2001). ''The Scottish Chateau. The Country house of Renaissance Scotland''. Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-2323-7. P.12. Datestone s are a subtly different category in that they primarily commemorate the construction of a building rather than record a marriage. They may do both and such symbolism as entwined hearts indicates that they serve to perform both functions. Datestones are far more common than Marriage stones and are found on most types of vernacular buildings, indeed they are in vogue again today (2007), partly through the influence of the significance of the 2000 Millennium year. Some buildings have both Marriage stones and datestones, such as 'The Hill' at Dunlop , which has a date stone on the 'mansion house' and even the gateposts are dated. POSITIONING The stones were placed where they would be easily and frequently seen by visitors, usually on the lintel above the front door of a house or in a prominent position facing the entrance or in the gardens, such as above a doorway in wall. DESIGN Usually carved into stone or sometimes wood, they can be very detailed, with usually only the initials of the married couple, the date of the marriage and sometimes the Coat Of Arms of the two families, just those of the husband and very rarely the combined coats of arms of both families. In some cases the adornment was religious in nature, such as at 'The Hill' farm mansion house (see Photograph) or an artistic design simply placed there as an ornamentation. The designs are found cut into the stone or standing proud of the rock face. Originally some of these stones would have been brightly painted and adorned with gilt.McKean, Charles (2001). ''The Scottish Chateau. The Country house of Renaissance Scotland''. Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-2323-7. P.12. MARRIAGE STONES GALLERY |
Image:16JDBG92JPGThe 'Marriage Stone' Lintel At 'The Hill' Farm,
| "http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/information/entry/Dunlop" class="copylinks">Dunlop , East Ayrshire |
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