Tomb - chest tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

At St Mary's parish church (KK019-026115-) in Kilkenny. A chest tomb front panel reused in the tomb of George Bryan (d. 1843) in the NE of the 'Bryan vault' adjoining the E wall of the S transept of the church (Carrigan 1905, vol. 3, 96-7; Phelan 1996, 176-7). The Bryan family 'vault' (in reality a mausoleum) probably modified part of the medieval Lady Chapel of St. Mary's in the 18th century. The 16th-century tomb frontal was reused for the monument to George Bryan, who was a prominent advocate for Catholic emancipation.
A rectangular panel (L 1.7m L; Wth 0.65m), composed of fossiliferous limestone, showing the signs of the passion in low relief. From left to right these are a leaning simple Latin cross surrounded by three flagellation whips of knotted cord and a hammer and pincers with three nails. To the right framing the group stands an upright ladder. The centre of the frontal contains a large image of the sacred heart of Christ pierced by a crown of thorns. The third grouping of symbols depicts the flagellation column and ropes next to the upright spear of Longinus and the vessel containing vinegar and gall on the pole. To the extreme right lies the seamless robe of Christ with the three dice and container used by the soldiers to cast lots for it. Phelan attributes the frontal to the Kerin school of monumental sculptors (Phelan 1996, 176-7). Two circular iron handles have been inserted into the frontal.

Compiled by: Cóilín Ó Drisceoil

Date of upload: 4 January 2023

References

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.

Phelan, M. 1996 The O'Kerin School of Monumental Sculpture in Ossory and Its Environs in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 126, 167-181.