Lot 1
A CARVED OAK FIGURE OF AN IMP, DORNOCH CATHEDRAL
POSSIBLY 16TH CENTURY AND LATER
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: 17 August 2022 at 11:00 BST
£3,528
Description
modelled in wood torrefaction, most likely carved from the remains of the 1570 fire of Dornoch Cathedral, to a later plinth engraved DORNOCH IMP
Dimensions
17.5cm high
Footnote
Note:
Dornoch Cathedral is situated in the Highlands of Scotland on the coast of Sutherland.
The Cathedral has been in existence in some form since the 13th century.
The gargoyles and imps who still adorn the Cathedral are guardians of the church and intended to ward off evil spirits.
It may be that this imp suffered fire damage and survived the fire attack on Dornoch Cathedral in 1570 due to a feud between the Murrays of Dornoch and the Mackays of Strathnaver.