Heartlands - Kells and Jewels

BY THE HEARTLANDS STITCHERS

TELLING THE STORY OF THE HEARTLANDS PANEL

Anne lives in Pitlochry and works for a charity:

I love crafts of all descriptions and also the great outdoors revelling in the different colours of the landscape. Knowing that many people had already chosen to represent different parts of our landscape on the stones, I was asked to help with the “jewels” on the cross itself and chose to embroider four of the illustrations from the Book of Kells, each representing one of the gospels. These symbols are in themselves a delight in shape and colour and highlight an essential part of the shared history of Scotland as a living expression of the monks’ faith as they seek to glorify God.

The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospel, was created in Iona by Columban monks around 800AD. Many of the decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism: the winged lion, ox, man and eagle chosen by the illustrators to represent each of the gospel writers because of the 4 living creatures/cherubim below God’s throne in the vision of Ezekiel as well as similar symbolism in the Book of Revelation. Iona as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland was from where Saint Columba and his monks took the gospel across Scotland during their various missionary journeys.

An Angel representing the Gospel of Matthew
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

A Lion representing the Gospel of Mark
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

An Eagle representing the Gospel of John
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

An Ox representing the Gospel of Luke
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Emblems representing the four gospels, inspired by art from Folio 27V, the Book of Kells.

Kit designed and stitched the five jewels to fit with the Kells sections. She writes:

Following City & Guilds courses in Machine Embroidery and Patchwork & Quilting, I have developed a broad base, enjoying all types of textile work from felt-making, to dyeing and book forms, but stitch and colour are my passion. I also enjoy teaching a variety of classes. Painting watercolours has been a useful addition. Handstitching has only recently been added to my interests, since I saw the Diaspora tapestry, but I am hooked now!

The Kells' Jewels
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The Kells' Jewels
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The Kells' Jewels
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The Kells' Jewels
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The Kells' Jewels
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Kit, of the Heartlands Stitchers, stitching the jewels onto the panel
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Many thanks to the Heartland Stitchers for sharing with us this incredible story behind their panel, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

READ MORE STORIES FROM THE TAPESTRY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?

In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.