Tomb - chest tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

Free-standing in the S side chapel of the N transept of the cathedral (TS061-025003-) on the Rock of Cashel. This consists of two side panels, in good condition, of a reconstituted chest tomb. The N panel (L 1.05m; H 0.55m) has seven figures of saints, each within an ogee-headed niche, the spandrels of which have foliage carvings, and their names are in Black Letter script above. They are described by Hunt (1974, vol. 1, 222) from the dexter side as, 'St Brigid with a cross-stafff in her right hand and a book in the left; St Philip with five loaves in a cloth over his shoulder; St Bartholomew with a knife held by the blade and a book; St Matthias with a sparth in his right hand and a book in his left; St Simon with a ship in front of him hold in both hands; St Thaddeus with a club in his right hand and a book in his left; St Matthew (he is erroneously labelled Matthias, the name also placed above the fourth figure) who has a knife held by the blade point downwards. and comprise a portion of the head (dims. 0.3m x 0.24m) wearing a mitre; the central part of the chest (dims. 0.48m x 0.33m) sporting a full chasuble with a pallium over the shoulders, the left hand held a crozier, only fragments of which remains, with a decorative knop, while the right hand is gloved and raised in blessing; the third fragment (dims. 0.43m x 0.4m) is the lower part of the chasuble'. The S panel (L 1.05m; H 0.55m) also depicts seven figures in similar niches which are described by Hunt (ibid.) as, 'St Catherine with down-turned sword and wheel; St James Minor with a club; St Thomas with a spear; St John with a chalice with a dragon emerging from it; St James Major with staff and book and a pilgrim's hat with a scallop shell; St Andrew with a small saltire cross in his right hand; St Peter with a simple key. These two side-slabs are evidently productions of the Thurles workshop'.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of revised upload: 20 November 2015