Summary: Viking Art
Key dates:
The Vikings are better known for their destructive attacks than for their art. For many years after the arrival of the Vikings there was little development in art. Stone sculptures survived quite well such as the cross of Carndonagh. At Monasterboice, the West Cross was carved about 923AD.
One of the best examples of these crosses is the Cross of Moone in Co Kildare. Its shape is unusual in that its very small wheel-head cross seems out of proportion with its height. The panel at the base has a carving of the twelve apostles in rows of four, all looking the same.
Some crosiers and religious jewellery date from this period as do the abbeys at Mellifont, Jerpoint, Cashel and Boyle.
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