Kildalton Chapel, Cross Detail of upper panel of shaft, West face

Description Kildalton Chapel, Cross Detail of upper panel of shaft, West face

Date 1983

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

Catalogue Number AG 12811

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 416742

Scope and Content Detail of upper panel of shaft on west face of Early Christian cross at Kildalton Chapel, Islay, Argyll and Bute This cross stands in the churchyard of Kildalton Chapel. Dating from the 8th century, it is closely related to other crosses from the Iona school of carving. Before the 16th century, most crosses in this region were carved on Iona. Decoration on the cross is typical of the Iona carvers. The east face has an image of the Virgin and Child flanked by angels, with other Biblical scenes on the arms. The west face shows a serpent-and-boss pattern with four lions around the central boss. In 1882, the cross was temporarily removed from its base, and a concrete cast made for the National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland (now NMS). When the cross was returned to its location, a double-plinth was constructed to stabilise the cross. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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