Cross of the Scriptures

Cross of the Scriptures - 131

Perhaps the most gracefully proportioned of all the Irish High Crosses, this 9th century stone cross stands 13 feet high.  Monks used the interlinked panel of the scripture crosses like a picture book to teach about Christ.

The scenes may be tentatively identified as follows, from the bottom upwards:

Joseph (left) interprets the dream of Pharoh’s Butler.
Chief Butler (left) hands the drinking horn to Pharoh.
Christ handing the key to Peter (right) and book of the New Testament to Paul (left).
Center:  The Last Judgement – Christ carrying the cross-staff and scepter.  Good souls on the left coming to Christ or heaven – bad souls on right going away from Christ to the devil.
Top:  Christ in Glory accompanied by two angels.

Clonmacnois, Ireland

17" x 8"

Irish Gifts