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ABOUT THE FACSIMILE

Declaration Of Arbroath

Hello, my name is Steven Patrick Sim, The Tartan Artisan® (...an artist born & raised in Arbroath). Creator of the fine art facsimile of the Declaration of Arbroath - a 3D representation of the Declaration of Scottish Independence - drafted and sealed now over 7 centuries ago ...on the 6th of April 1320!

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In 2014 (after witnessing the passionate mood of the nation during the run up to the referendum on Scottish independence - 18th September that year - and seeing Scottish flags everywhere) I created the original DECLARATION tartan …designed to pay tribute to Scotland’s ancient cry for independence.

 

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Since it's official registration at the Scottish Register of Tartans, the design has possibly become one of the most iconic tartans on the register... also being inspired by the Declaration of Arbroath!

Created by an artist ...a tartan designer

The Declaration of Scottish Independence tartan, by Steven Patrick Sim
Steven Patrick Sim, creator of the Declaration tartan, as well as the 3D facsimile of the Declaration of Arbroath

Photograph bt Drew Porch ©2017 

Declaration Of Arbroath

Photograph bt Drew Porch ©2017 

The Declaration of Arbroath is Crown copyright, National Records of Scotland, SP13/7

Declaration tartan copyright - Steven Patrick Sim © 2014

THE DECLARATION 1320 ®  . . .THE TARTAN

portraying the two flags of Scotland

INSPIRED! ...by a
monumental announcement!

Then ...on the 5th of July 2016 the news hit the headlines... !
...and the announcement was made that Scotland’s most treasured historical document - the Declaration of Arbroath - was being added to the UNESCO UK ‘Memory of the World’ register!

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Being an artist inspired not only by the legacy of my own home town, but also Scotland's ancient histories, I was again inspired! How could I mark this occasion? should I? ...could it be done?

 

The idea of a 3D Facsimile of the Declaration of Arbroath was born!

 

 

 

The Declaration of Arbroath 3D Facsimile ...fine art replica by Steven Patrick Sim

An Archival Quality Reproduction

This incredibly detailed and lifelike reproduction, only made possible with permission granted from the National Records of Scotland, is a unique limited edition three dimensional construct, produced using only the finest archival pigmented inks, papers and embellishments.

 

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Printed with lightfast inks in 7 colors, on 100% cotton heavy weight acid free fine art paper, this numbered fine art facsimile is ensured to become a treasured heirloom that can be handed down for generations to come.

 

The Declaration of Arbroath Fine Art 3D Facsimile is produced and framed in Scotland, with the art piece being sealed and presented in a white contemporary box frame. A substantial construct, built as a 3D box with double cavity space to protect and house the facsimile.

 

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The finished frame is installed with a hi-tech museum quality glass which filters harmful UV light and eliminates almost all reflections.

 

This allows light to immerse the facsimile (which floats in the space casting dancing shadows as light in the room moves) adding a stunning realism to the piece!

 

 

The Declaration of Arbroath, the hole in the parchment

Crown copyright, National Records of Scotland, SP13/7

Printed in 7 colours of lightfast ink...

& celebrating more than seven centuries of Scotland’s

ongoing evolution, to greater freedoms

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The Declaration of Arbroath, the 3D Replica, showing seal details

The famous quote embodied...

"for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Declaration Of Arbroath

THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH

AWARDED UK UNESCO ‘MEMORY OF THE WORLD’ STATUS

Tuesday, 5 Jul 2016

The 2016 Declaration of Arbroath 3D Facsimile Limited Editions were reproduced from photographic images of the copy on file at the National Archives of Scotland, which notes:

 

”The version of the Declaration held by the National Archives of Scotland is the file copy.  The original sent to the pope has long been lost.  We cannot be sure that the format of the NAS copy is the same as the lost version."

 

"The NAS copy has the normal deep fold at the bottom through which the seal tags were threaded.  It is unusual (but not unique) in having many seals attached.  There are 39 names (eight earls and thirty one barons) at the start of the document. Presumably their seals were all to be appended, but it is too difficult to tell now if that did happen.  Some seal tags are now short stumps only.  There were to have been three rows of seals attached, which if they had all survived would have made the document difficult to carry around and protect without damage.  Above the slit through which the seal tag was threaded was written the name of the sealer."

 

"As it now survives, there are only 19 seals, and of those 19 people only 12 are named within the document.  Indeed, it is thought likely that at least 11 more seals than the original 39 might have been appended.”

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