A reassessment of the early medieval stone crosses and related sculpture of Offaly, Kilkenny and Tipperary
This study is concerned with the Early Medieval freestanding stone crosses and related sculpture of three Irish counties, Offaly, Kilkenny and Tipperary. These monuments are recorded both descriptively and photographically and particular emphasis has been placed on a detailed analysis of the Hiberno-Saxon abstract ornament, the patterns used and, where possible, the way in which they were constructed. The discussion begins with a survey of the origins and morphology of the freestanding cross in Ireland examining both archaeological and documentary evidence. The monuments are then divided into groups according to similarity. Each group is discussed, the form and layout of the monuments, their abstract and iconographical ornament, and these are compared with sculpture elsewhere, objects in other media, and the origins of the various motives are also considered where appropriate. Chronologically, three main groups emerge. In the late eighth and early ninth centuries there are several local groups making use of a wide variety of abstract ornament, often influenced by metalwork and manuscript motives, but with little figural iconography. Close links have also been noted with sculpture in Scotland. During the ninth
Edwards, Nancy
Archaeology
A reassessment of the early medieval stone crosses and related sculpture of Offaly, Kilkenny and Tipperary. This study is concerned with the Early Medieval freestanding stone crosses and related sculpture of three Irish counties, Offaly, Kilkenny and Tipperary. These monuments are recorded both descriptively and photographically and particular emphasis has been placed on a detailed analysis of the Hiberno-Saxon abstract ornament, the patterns used and, where possible, the way in which they were constructed. The discussion begins with a survey of the origins and morphology of the freestanding cross in Ireland examining both archaeological and documentary evidence. The monuments are then divided into groups according to similarity. Each group is discussed, the form and layout of the monuments, their abstract and iconographical ornament, and these are compared with sculpture elsewhere, objects in other media, and the origins of the various motives are also considered where appropriate. Chronologically, three main groups emerge. In the late eighth and early ninth centuries there are several local groups making use of a wide variety of abstract ornament, often influenced by metalwork and manuscript motives, but with little figural iconography. Close links have also been noted with sculpture in Scotland. During the ninth
reassessment early_medieval stone cross related sculpture study_concern early_medieval stone cross related sculpture irish county monument record descriptively particular_emphasis_place detailed_analysis saxon abstract ornament pattern use possible way construct discussion begin_survey origins morphology cross ireland examine archaeological_documentary evidence monument divide group accord similarity group discuss form layout monument abstract iconographical ornament compare sculpture elsewhere object medium origins various motif also_consider appropriate chronologically three_main group emerge several local group make_use wide_variety abstract ornament often influenced metalwork manuscript motif little figural iconography close_link also_note sculpture scotland ninth