Cardonagh cross-slab

1 31/32" x 7/8" - 50 x 22.2 mm

Cardonagh, County Donegal, Ireland

This design is based on an Irish High Cross carved in stone in the late 7th Century (about 675 A.D.). It is one of the first crosses carved in the round with decorations on both sides. One side is ribbon interlace, and the side shown is interlace and figurative carving.  The top of the cross is a Greek style cross fashioned from interlace.  Under this is a figure - Jesus -  with two figures that may have represented rats, ancient symbols of the earth,  which shows Jesus' defeat of the grave.  The sponge bearer and the spear bearer are on each side of Jesus, and at the bottom are three figures from pre-Christian times that were "Christianized" by occasionally adding a bell, book and crozier in their hands.