Find Spot record 2989 - Carved Stone Head

The exact provenance of this fine-grained sandstone head is unknown. The face is heavily incised into well dressed sandstone block measuring 34cm x 22cm x 16cm (the face is 22cm x 13cm). The hair is parted in the centre. The face has large lentoid eyes (doubly defined), ‘worry lines’ on the forehead, a simple nose, and slit mouth (possibly lipped or a moustache). The chisel marks are apparent. Found upside down on a Greenfield site during construction of a housing estate in north Macclesfield. It is now in private possession (1). It belongs to a large group of stone heads from Britain which on stylistic grounds are termed 'Celtic', but which show continuity into the Post Medieval period. The National Grid Reference given is centred to the civil parish of Tytherington.

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, The Manchester Museum, Petch. M, 1991 (Written Communication). SCH3756.