Graveslab

The National Monuments Service's description

One of a large number of graveslabs (KK027-029005-; KK027-029015-, KK027-029016-, KK027-029021- to KK027-029051-) found at Kells Priory for Augustinian canons (KK027-029004-) which have been described and catalogued by Higgins (2007, 453-67).
The upper portion of a graveslab (surviving L 0.395m; Wth 0.47m; T 0.19m), missing the sinister edge. It is decorated with an incised two-lined open lozenge-shaped cross-head with concave sides and fleur-de-lis terminals. The tip of the sinister fleur-de-lis is missing, as is the lower terminal of the cross-head. The slab is very worn and has been cut up and squared-off for reuse. Higgins (ibid., 460) suggests that this slab may be the upper portion of another slab (KK027-029027-) of which only the lower portion survives. Stylistically the graveslab dates to the 13th/14th century. (Higgins 2007, cat. no. 12, 460, fig. 7.1:10).

Ref.:
Higgins, J. 2007 The medieval funerary monuments. In M. Clyne, (ed.), Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, 453-67. Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Dublin.

See attached:
KK027-029029-_01 Illustration in Higgins, J. 2007 The medieval funerary monuments. In M. Clyne, (ed.), Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, 453-67.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 31 May 2023

References

Clyne, M. 2007 Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne. Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Dublin.