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The Old Cross
Skene, James, 1827, Lithograph
The Old Cross
The Old Cross
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Item no
618
Title
The Old Cross
Description
Heralds wearing hats and cloaks stand on top of the Mercat Cross. One holds a scroll another is blowing a trumpet. A large column capped with a unicorn rises from the centre of the structure. Flying from the unicorn is a saltire flag. The structure has columns and arches along its base. On the cobbled street below people are watching, a dog wanders nearby. Buildings in the background have smoke rising from their chimneys.
Artist / maker
Skene, James
Date
1827
Size
18 x 13 cm.
Type
Lithograph
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
Edinburgh's Mercat Cross stands at the east end of St Giles Kirk on the High Street. The original cross stood nearby but was dismantled in 1756 and taken to Drum House. Its previous position is marked by a paved cross. William Gladstone instigated the erection of the current cross in 1885, which incorporates some parts from its much larger predecessor. The Mercat Cross is the traditional centre of the City market, a meeting place for merchants, a place of execution and the site of official proclamations.
The word cobble has been used here to help with searching, an alternative term is sett. Sett stones describe both the type of stone and the method in which they are used.
Exhibitions with this item
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage
Edinburgh Landmarks
Statues and Monuments
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Business
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Mercat Crosses
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City and town halls
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Edinburgh areas
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Old Town
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Edinburgh areas
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Royal Mile
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Scotland
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Edinburgh
(55°56′59″N, 3°11′24″W)
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