The Celtic High Crosses are probably the most important
achievement in the entire history of Irish Sculpture. From the earliest
days of Irish Christianity, crosses had been set in slabs as symbols of
the faith and erected in monastic settlements. Their design is believed
to derive from combining the sun, which was the pagan symbol of worship
in Ireland, and the christian cross. The crosses feature a large stone circle
intersecting the arems and the upright shaft. Early examples of the celtic
high cross depicts abstract decorations, but by the 9th century it had developed
to depict elaborate figured scriptural scenes. The abstract geometric ornament
on the shaft and rings is derived from earlier metalwork; the ornamental
studs and cylindrical angle mouldings are clear copies of metal executed
in stone.
Figured sculpture later became a major element of Celtic High Crosses. Early
crosses included hunting scenes at the crosses base. Later crosses from
the 12th century were transitional in that they were abstract ornamental
and included scenes of Christ's crucifixion and a number of biblical scenes.
This is also a period when the Romanesque style prevailed in Ireland.
The scriptural high crosses have coherent religious themes based on the
Old and New Testaments. Usually there is a crucifixion scene on the New
Testament side and a scene of last judgement on the Old Testament side.
Later crosses were designed with celtic weave patterns. Celtic weave patterns
were unique in that they represented different family clans. |
