Cross (cast)

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This picture shows a cast of a large cross from Kildalton on Islay in the Inner Hebrides. The shape of the cross and its decoration have many parallels to those found at the famous monastery of Iona. The original was carved in the late 8th century.

This picture shows the back of the cross. It was divided into nine decorative panels. The carving consists mainly of interlace around bosses and animals, some carved in very high relief.

The word 'kil' in place names derives from the latin for 'cella' or chapel. The name Kildalton, together with the fine carving on this cross, suggests that there was probably an early Christian monastery on the site.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-150-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 6
• Date: Date of original: late 8th century
  Late 8th century
  
• Material: Bearing on obverse figures of Virgin and Child, David and lion, panels of Celtic ornamentation
  Cross / cast
  
• Dimensions: 108" H
  
• What: Cross / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Islay, Kildalton
  
• Event:
• Description: Cast of a large cross, the original was found at Kildalton and dates from the late 8th century
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, pp 391-3. 
  • Foster, Sally M. Picts, Gaels and Scots. Early Historic Scotland. London and Edinburgh: B.T. Batsford Ltd and Historic Scotland, 1996, pp 83-4. 
• Translations:
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