Editing Picts (section)

==Art==
{{Also|Pictish stone}}
[[File:Pictish Stone distribution.jpg|thumb|right|Distribution of Pictish symbol stones and cross slabs]]

Pictish art is primarily associated with [[Pictish stone|monumental stones]], but also includes smaller objects of stone and bone, and metalwork such as [[Celtic brooch|brooches]]. It uses a distinctive form of the general Celtic early medieval development of [[La Tène style]] with increasing influences from the [[Insular art]] of 7th and 8th century Ireland and [[Northumbria]], and then [[Anglo-Saxon art|Anglo-Saxon]] and [[Irish art]] as the early medieval period continues. The most well-known surviving examples are the many Pictish stones located across Pictland. 

The symbols and patterns consist of animals including the [[Pictish Beast]], the "rectangle", the "mirror and comb", "double-disc and Z-rod" and the "crescent and V-rod", among many others. There are also bosses and lenses with pelta and spiral designs. The patterns are curvilinear with hatchings. The cross-slabs are carved with Pictish symbols, Insular-derived [[interlace (art)|interlace]] and Christian imagery, though interpretation is often difficult due to wear and obscurity. Several of the Christian images carved on various stones, such as David the harpist, Daniel and the lion, or scenes of St Paul and St Anthony meeting in the desert, have been influenced by the [[Insular art|Insular]] manuscript tradition.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1986|pp=87–113}}, {{harvnb|Ó Carragáin|1988|pp=1–58}}</ref>

Pictish metalwork is found throughout Pictland (modern-day Scotland) and also further south; the Picts appeared to have a considerable amount of silver available, probably from raiding further south, or the payment of subsidies to keep them from doing so. The very large hoard of late Roman [[hacksilver]] found at [[Traprain Law]] may have originated in either way. The largest hoard of early Pictish metalwork was found in 1819 at [[Norrie's Law]] in Fife, but unfortunately much was dispersed and melted down ([[Treasure trove#Scotland|Scots law on treasure finds]] has always been unhelpful to preservation). A famous 7th century silver and [[vitreous enamel|enamel]] plaque from the hoard has a "Z-rod", one of the Pictish symbols, in a particularly well-preserved and elegant form; unfortunately few comparable pieces have survived.<ref>Youngs, 26–28; [[:File:Pictish symbol silver jewelry hoard norries law.JPG|Poor image of 19th-century illustration]]</ref> 

Over ten heavy silver chains, some over 0.5m long, have been found from this period; the double-linked [[Whitecleuch Chain]] is one of only two that have a [[Penannular brooch|penannular]] linking piece for the ends, with symbol decoration including enamel, which shows how these were probably used as "choker" necklaces.<ref>{{harvnb|Youngs|1989|p=28}}</ref>

In the 8th and 9th centuries, after Christianization, the Pictish elite adopted a particular form of the Irish [[Celtic brooch]], preferring true penannular brooches with lobed terminals. Some older Irish brooches were adapted to the Pictish style, for example, the c.  8th century [[Breadalbane Brooch]] now in the [[British Museum]]. The [[St Ninian's Isle#St Ninian's Isle Treasure|St Ninian's Isle Treasure]] (c. 750–825 AD) contains the best collection of Pictish forms. Other characteristics of Pictish metalwork are dotted backgrounds or designs and animal forms influenced by Insular art. The 8th century [[Monymusk Reliquary]] has elements of Pictish and Irish styles.<ref>{{harvnb|Youngs|1989|pp=109–113}}</ref>

<gallery widths="160" heights="160">
File:Pictish Stones in the Museum of ScotlandDSCF6254.jpg|Pictish cross from the [[Monifieth Sculptured Stones]], Museum of Scotland
File:Rodney02.JPG|[[Rodney's Stone]] (back-face), [[Brodie Castle]], [[Forres]] 
File:Aberlemnokirkyardcropped.jpg|The [[Aberlemno Sculptured Stones|Aberlemno]] Kirkyard Stone, Class II Pictish stone
File:ArtCelteScotlandFibuleExpoClunydetail.jpg|The [[Rogart Brooch]], 8th century<ref>Youngs, no. 111, with a plate showing the decoration much better; Laing, 310</ref>
File:Whitecleuch chain.jpg|[[Whitecleuch Chain]], c. 400–800 AD. [[National Museum of Scotland]]
File:Standrewssarcophagus.jpg|[[St Andrews Sarcophagus]], second half of the 8th century
File:Brit Mus 13sept10 brooches etc 015-crop.jpg|The [[Breadalbane Brooch]], 8th or 9th century, [[British Museum]]<ref>"[https://www.bmimages.com/preview.asp?image=00011844001 Breadalbane Brooch, pseudo-penannular brooch, Celtic, Pictish, Scotland]". [[British Museum]]. Retrieved 9 April 2023</ref>
</gallery>