Crucifixion plaque

The National Monuments Service's description

Located above the doorway on the external face of the W wall of a church (MA-88-144001-).
A large rectangular limestone slab (L 2m; H 0.9m) bearing a crucifixion scene carved in low false relief in a naïve style; the style suggests a 17th-century date.
The centrally positioned, long-limbed figure of the crucified Christ dominates the slab, and is flanked by two smaller figures. The cross itself is not depicted but its outline is implied by the top recessed frame of the false relief panel. Christ’s head hangs heavily to one side, and is surrounded by a stylised spiky radiating halo. He is depicted with long hair and a beard that bifurcates at the base. The outstretched arms are disproportionally long, each hand pierced by a single barely discernible nail. The legs and feet are twisted to one side, with one foot resting on top of the other. The loin cloth is a simple rectangle with a knotted overhang at one side. INRI is carved directly above his head. The two figures standing on either side of Christ appear to represent Mary, Mother of Christ, and Mary Magdalene. Each is depicted in rather stylised form as a heavily cowled, long-robed figure. Christ’s Mother at left (as seen by viewer) holds up one hand, and supports the elbow of that arm with the other hand; this stance is typical for depictions of the Virgin in medieval crucifixion scenes (Higgins 1997, 74). The space to the right of the crucifixion scene is blank, but the left-hand side of the slab bears a curious carving, also in false relief, and now greatly weathered. It appears to represent a two-headed bird with out-stretched wings and long legs or possibly two birds with opposing bodies and intertwined or crossed neck. Higgins (1997, 72-76) discusses various possible interpretations of this enigmatic image. It may be a heraldic symbol. Alternatively, it may have religious significance: the eagle was used in medieval Christian iconography to reference John, the evangelist, for instance, but it was also used as a type for Christ himself, based on biblical and scriptural references to the eagle, which were taken as symbolic of the Ascension and the Resurrection.
The plaque was placed in its present location by the OPW. Another crucifixion plaque (MA070144006-) is located on the W wall of the S transept.

Attached images:
MA070-144007-_01 Crucifixion plaque from W
MA070-144007-_02 Crucifixion plaque from NW
MA070-144007-_03 crucifixion scene
MA070-144007-_04 carving of bird

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 15 December 2020

References

Higgins, J. 1997 Turlough Church, Co. Mayo. Cathair na Mart. Journal of the Westport Historical Society, 17, 66-85