A reassessment of the early medieval stone crosses and related sculpture of offaly, Kilkenny and Tipperary
Nancy Edwards
This study is concerned with the Early Medieval freestanding stone crosses and related sculpture of three Irish counties, Offaly, Kilkenny Tipperary. These monuments are recorded both descriptively photographically particular emphasis has been placed on a detailed analysis Hiberno-Saxon abstract ornament, patterns used and, where possible, way in which they were constructed. The discussion begins survey origins morphology cross Ireland examining archaeological documentary evidence. then divided into groups according to similarity. Each group discussed, form layout monuments, their iconographical these compared elsewhere, objects other media, various motives also considered appropriate. Chronologically, main emerge. In late eighth early ninth centuries there several local making use wide variety often influenced by metalwork manuscript motives, but little figural iconography. Close links have noted Scotland. During century ornament gives an increasing Scriptural iconography, probably popularised contact Carolingian Europe, may first be detected some 'Transitional' monuments. Finally, iconography predominates, giving rise distinctive 'Scripture' tenth centuries.