A house-shaped shrine in a Carolingian setting, as depicted in the oldest portrait of St Columba in Cod Sang 555
Peter Yeoman
This paper will consider the oldest known image of St Columba, contained within a copy Adomnan’s Vita sancti Columbae, created around middle 9th century in monastery at Gallen Switzerland. Columba established confederation monasteries Britain and Ireland, centred on his great foundation Iona, before death ad 597. His fame spread to Continent, relation network Carolingian with Scotto-Irish links, resulting persistent devotion certain Irish saints, context for which is outlined here. Rather than simply being an illustration support manuscript, affirms significance culture more 200 years after death. Most remarkably, ‘house-shaped’ shrine – possible Insular origin features church setting this image, discussed origins identification object, possibly as Columban reliquary. Whereas focuses materiality especially extraordinary representation reliquary, art historical assessment also essential achieving full understanding. As outwith skills present author, be fully explored forthcoming, accompanying by Prof Jane Geddes.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland