Pictish jewellery and accessories available for online purchase

Pictish Bull Such as the Buchan Bull or the Burghead Bull. Perhaps some religous cult, or territorial markers. Given the North East of Scotland’s history of cattle breeding (who hasn’t heard of Aberdeen Angus?), they might simply be impressions of ancient champions! Our version incorporates some aspect of all the known Pictish original carvings.
Pictish Goose Birds are numerous on Pictish symbol pairs, with eagle and goose to the fore. Symbol stones, paired and in groups are not yet completely understood, but picking certain images to suit the lifestyle of that clan or family group (or particular kindred) would seem to be the most likey solution, for example the eagle for hunters and goose for farmers, etc. A good example of a Pictish Goose can be found on the Easterton of Roseisle stone, now on display in the Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Pictish Harp
 An original design, (exclusive to Rainnea Graphics) in the Pictish style. Several examples of harps can be found on Pictish stones, most notibly on the Aldbar Cross Slab in Brechin Cathedral. The triangular harp is believed by some to have been a Pictish invention.
Pictish Horse A representative example of a Pictish Horse. A great many example’s exist, (many with riders and tack), but by far the most striking is the “Inverurie Horse” found in a burial mound on the outskirts of the north-east town of that name.
Pictish Hound Our version of one of the three running hounds found in the Book of Kells which is belived by many to have been written on the Isle of Iona. Looking at the detail of the Kells designs and the similarities to the Pictish animals found in carvings, this is a particularly Pictish hound.
Pictish Deer Our thanks go to George Bain, the master artist, for creating this magnificent animal for us to enjoy and derive this flowing design from. It appears in his book “The Methods of Construction”, p.141 as part of a hunting scene on a 1950 menu. We believe he, in his turn, sought inspiration from Pictish stonemasons such as those who carved out the stag on the Eassie Cross Slab (Angus), and the running deer on the Hilton of Cadboll stone.
Pictish Boar Several examples of the Pictish Boar exist on stone slabs (St. Vigean’s and Dores) or crosses. We felt that these examples had “lost” some of their original details and impact through being constantly copied. Taking George Bain’s example in “The Methods of Construction”, p.113 * as our starting point, we have reconstructed what we believe the original may have looked like.
Pictish Wolf A powerful image, the Pictish Wolf was one of many animals the Picts carved on their stoneworks. The lines, deeply incised on the wolf, express the force instinctive to the nature of the most feared of dogs. A fragmentary image of a wolf can be found on the Ardross Stone, which our Wolf is based upon, and now resides in the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
 
 

Copyright Notice - Our particular interpretations of these designs our protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without prior permission. You are however welcome, and indeed encouraged, to look at the original sources and develop your own interpretations and new designs in the traditional Pictish style.

* “The Methods of Construction” by George Bain, Dover Publications, 1973 (original edition published 1951). George Bain spent most of his life teaching and promoting the use of Pictish and Celtic designs as an artform and for use in the arts and crafts.