Our Autumn 2020 range of kilt pins, just in time for Hallowe’en, celebrates the wonderful and unique Scottish art found on seventeenth century tombs. From the early 1600s Scots would increasingly have carved icons added to their tombstones, to convey certain messages about either themselves or the need to live a good life.
C-FKPHW01 Time Flies
Here we have the winged hourglass, or TEMPUS FUGIT, a very popular motif on Scottish stones. This represents both the passing of time, but also the soul, having run out of time, now ascending to the heavens. Size 96mm long, 48mm wide.
C-FKPHW02 King Death
The death-head represents the universality of death, how the reaper is no respecter of pomp or power, all earthy kings will kneel before him some day. Given the seventeenth-century Scottish Presbyterians had something of a disdain for the ambitions of the Stuart kings and the vanity of the court, they were especially keen on this symbol. Size 96mm long, 20mm wide.
C-FKPHW03 Winged Skull
Here we have Another symbol of the departed soul – the earthy journey is over and the journey of the afterlife begins. Found on many tombstones throughout Scotland. Size 96mm long, 48mm wide.
C-LP/CP HW02 King Death
Available as a lapel pin or a clutch pin. Lapel pin size 55mm long, 12mm wide. Clutch Pin Size 25mm long, 12mm wide.
C-LP/CP HW03 Winged Skull
Available as a lapel pin or a clutch pin. Lapel pin size 50mm long, 35mm wide. Clutch Pin Size 10mm long, 35mm wide.
C-LP/CP HW04 Memento Mori
Available as a lapel pin or a clutch pin. Memento Mori was a very popular motto in the early modern period – literally translated as ‘remember to die’, it was meant to serve as a reminder of the grave, and so to live well and make the most of things while you could. Lapel pin size 60mm long, 12mm wide. Clutch Pin Size 23mm long, 12mm wide.
C-LP/CP HW05 Coffin
Available as a lapel pin or a clutch pin. Skeletons of all sorts were carved into Scottish kirkyard tombstones, some active, some still. This pin is also meant to recall the line from Tam O’ Shanter: Coffins stood round, like open presses Lapel pin size 60mm long, 12mm wide. Clutch Pin Size 35mm long, 12mm wide.
