Bullion Stone, Pictish stone in Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The Bullion Stone is a Pictish carving on display at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh as part of its permanent collection. Its surface depicts a bearded, bald-headed horseman holding a shield and drinking from a large horn topped with a bird head design.
The stone was discovered in 1933 during road construction at Invergowrie and dates from around 900 to 950 CE. It represents one of the final examples of Pictish carving before the culture gradually faded away.
The carved images show daily life among the Picts, revealing their clothing and weapons through careful detail. The drinking ritual depicted suggests these vessels held special meaning in their society.
The stone is displayed in the permanent collection at the museum, where you can examine it alongside other Pictish artifacts. Take time to look closely at the fine details of the carving from different angles.
The drinking horn features a bird head terminal that appears in earlier artifacts from other periods. This suggests the Picts maintained certain design traditions across many generations.
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