The Cross of Cong: some recent discoveries (with P. Ó Riain) (original) (raw)

An Examination of the Modern Celtic Cross

Journal of Kilkenny Archaeological Society, 2001

This article from 15 years ago, while still valid as an introduction to the topic, serves as a pointer towards the need for a thorough and far-reaching study of the phenomenon of the 19th/20th -century Celtic revival high cross. A thing of fashion in Irish graveyards for almost a 100 years, it carried layers of meaning and intention in a country struggling with its identity. Its impact was also felt on graveyard sculpture in Scotland, the UK generally, the Americas, Australia and elsewhere.

Ornamentations Around The Symbol Of The Cross : A Comparative Overview

Ornamentations Around The Symbol Of The Cross : A Comparative Overview-XPLORE RESEARCH JOURNAL,Vol. 10, Issue 1, Dec 2019 ISSN 2249 - 1878, 2019

The symbol of the cross from its origin in a pre-Christian phase to its Christianization has gone through a long period of evolution spanning hundreds of years. The cross which was a symbol of shame and punishment for criminals became a Christian symbol in the Holy land representing the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ .It is to be noted that this symbol became popular once Christianity became a popular religion and began to spread with the believers either under patronage or threat. The cross as a symbol itself began evolving with elongation, curves, equalization and ornamentation either on its surface or around it. The evolution of the cross and its ornamentation changes with region, group or sect of Christians and the meaning they gave to it. The ornamentation also represented various facets of Christian theology and philosophy as professed by these various sects. Further more one observes that with the regionalisation of the symbol of the cross - local elements like vegetation, fruits , fauna and cultic symbols get incorporated , as seen in the cases of India, Armenia, etc .Thus the resultant combination of the cross symbol with its evolving and distinguishing ornamentation serve as a window into the coming of Christianity into those respective localities, how the two communities interacted, the level of their religio-intellectual interaction, etc. In the following paper the researcher aims at making a cross cultural comparison between few of the ancient crosses like Nestorian Crosses, Armenian Khachkar, Persian Crosses in India , etc. Here along with the examination of the cross itself the ornamentation will be studied and put into context of the locality where these crosses are found , while making an attempt to separate what was originally brought by the early missionaries either in tangible or intangible form.

Mediaeval Casts of the Eastern Reliquary Crosses

Non-destructive testing methods are widely applied for metal artefacts research. The analyses presented here are part of research and conservation program encompassing metal artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations in the years 2010 – 2011 in the area of Czermno. Among metal artefacts of archaeological origin there is an important group of objects connected with cult. Reliquary crosses called encolpions can be distinguished here; worn both by priests and by lay people in Central and Eastern Europe. They present an interesting group for historical and iconographic research, as well as for the analyses of the materials and the techniques applied. The type of cast encolpions were examined, found in the area of the old dwelling complex connected with fortified settlement of Czermno (the old Grody Czerwieńskie). These objects are initially dated to the 12th century. These metal artefacts are researched, by application of the nondestructive testing methods, at the Faculty of Foundry Engineering of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków in cooperation with Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Rzeszów University. The research helped to enlarge the scientific scope of knowledge on Mediaeval materials and manufacturing techniques, while the conservation efforts gave back the proper artistic value to the artefacts from Czermno and allowed for the appropriate exhibition. Keywords: Non-destructive testing methods, Artistic casting, Metal artefacts conservation, Copper alloys, Bronze

An Osseous pendant cross from Bamburgh, Northumberland

The evidence of material culture: Studies in honour of Professor Vera Evison, 2016

The majority of known cross pendants from the Anglo-Saxon to Medieval periods are manufactured in metal, with a few known in jet. During excavations at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, a cross pendant of antler/bone came to light. As the excavation data did not provide firm dating evidence, further research was required to correctly place the pendant chronologically. This paper presents the results of that research, as well as a brief discussion of the pendants material and manufacture, and of the possible connections it suggests with the Insular church in Northumbria. Comparisons are made with typologically similar examples in metal, stone, jet, ivory carvings and manuscript artwork in order to try and offer a suitable timeframe for the pendant’s use. The results show that similar crosses in various media appear from the seventh century onwards, but this simple example is better placed in the late Saxon period. Chapter 16 in "The evidence of material culture: Studies in honour of Professor Vera Evison"

Twelfth Century Irish Crosses

The twelfth century Irish High Crosses differ from the earlier crosses in a number of ways. This paper will assess some of the distinctive features that lead to dating these crosses to the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. The first part of this paper will concern itself with some of the distinctive characteristics that lead to a 12th century dating of a cross. The second part of this paper will list the 12th century crosses by County and list the characteristics each has as described in part 1. The third part of this paper will provide additional information about each of the 12th century crosses.

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Dickran Kouymjian, “Catalogue Liturgical Metalwork, Part IV. Miscellaneous Liturgical Objects & Xač‘k‘ars, Glossary Technical Terms, Liturgical Vessels, Biblio,” Catholicosate of Cilicia: History, Treasures, Mission, S. Dadoyan, ed., Antelias: Catholicosate, Lebanon, 2015, pp. 218-249, 284-297.

Dickran Kouymjian, “Catalogue of the Liturgical Metalwork, Part II. Chalices,” The Catholicosate of Cilicia: History, Treasures, Mission, Seta Dadoyan, ed., Antelias: Catholicosate of Cilicia, Lebanon, 2015, pp. 189-217.

Remembering elites: Early medieval stone crosses as commemorative technologies

Boye, L., Heidemann Lutz, L, Kleingärtner, S., Kruse, P., Matthes, L. Sørensen, A.B. (eds) Arkæologi i Slesvig/Archäologie in Schleswig. Sonderband “Det 61. Internationale Sachsensymposion 2010” Haderslev, Denmark. Neumünster: Wachholtz, pp. 13-32., 2011