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An oak roundel, part of a series of carvings that decorated the ceiling of the King's Presence Chamber at Stirling Castle. This Stirling Head of a female Worthy has a remarkable border carved with Os, Is and IIs around its circumference. This may be musical notation and could be the oldest surviving piece of written, Scottish, instrumental music. The markings were not intended as an exact musical score but as a guide for the musicians. The Stirling Heads are constructed of three panels, originally only secured by glue. The great majority of the Heads, however, are in part constructed in 2-ply, an additional board or block having been placed over the middle board to enable the carver to model the central portion of the medallion in high relief.

Stirling Castle

Stirling

Title

Stirling Head: Female Courtier

Date

c.1540

Medium

oak

Measurements

H 73.7 x W 73.7 x D 2.8 cm

Accession number

STC020

Acquisition method

on loan from Scottish Ministers

Work type

Sculpture

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Stirling Castle

Castle Wynd, Stirling, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland

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