Late Medieval cross, Kilchoman Old Parish Church. View of West face of cross.

Description Late Medieval cross, Kilchoman Old Parish Church. View of West face of cross.

Date 1974

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number SC 2524012

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of AG 5226

Scope and Content View of west face of West Highland Cross, Kilchoman Church, Islay This cross in the churchyard of Kilchoman Church, is a fine example of the Iona school of carving, dating from the 14th-15th centuries. The inscription states it was set up by Thomas, a doctor, for his father, mother, wife and 'all the faithful departed'. The decoration consists of many motifs typical of the Iona carvers, such as the foliage decoration and armed man on a rearing charger on the shaft. Some designs are more unusual, including the complicated pattern of plain interfacing on the west face. The socket-stone, in which the cross sits, has four depressions of varying depths at the corners. Tradition has it that expectant mothers would grind out such hollows with a pear-shaped pestle, in order to try and secure male offspring. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/2524012

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap