Tomb - chest tomb (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

Originally from Athassel Abbey (TS068-013----), Co. Tipperary. Currently in the OPW store, Kilkenny (Kilkenny depot stone carving number: KD032).
One of five fragments of this chest tomb which are stored in the Kilkenny Depot (see also KK019-026383-; KK019-026393-; KK019-026394- and KK019-026395-), though three of the pieces consist of two or more pieces which have been glued together.
The lower part of an end panel (L 0.577m; H 0.28m; T 0.178m), composed on Dundry stone, with a crucifixion flanked by Our Lady and St John. The panel had been broken in half vertically down the centre and has been glued together. The sides of the panel are dressed with diagonal tooling, while the base of the panel is roughly dressed. The central figure of the Crucified Christ is badly spalled. Only the feet survive, with the right foot over the left, there are traces of red paint on the toes. The cross-shaft continues to the base of the niche, with no treatment to the base. Though the head and upper dexter side is missing, the figure to the right of the Crucifix, Our Lady, is wearing a full-length garment, with the folds gathered in her right hand. The figure to the left of the Crucifix, St John, is very badly spalled, only the outline of the garment remains, though the bare feet, which are standing on a rock, are very well preserved. The niche is framed on either side by three engaged columns resting on moulded bases.
The tomb pieces indicate that the Athassel chest tomb, of which one side panel is on display in the Vicars Choral (see TS061-025005-), at the Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, was a free-standing structure (Manning 2005, 133). Dated by Hunt (1974, vol. 1, 219-20) and Manning (2005, 134) to the late 13th/early 14th century.

See attached photograph:
KK019-026396-_01 (photograph by Chris Corlett)

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 25 January 2023

References

Hunt, J. 1974 Irish medieval figure sculpture 1200-1600, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish University Press.