The High Crosses of Ireland: Inspirations in Stone - Softcover
Synopsis
The High Crosses of Ireland stand as elegant monuments to a high civilization from the last quarter of the first Christian millennium. The photographs in this book capture the quality of those master carvers' work of a thousand years ago. The book illustrates the majesty and wonder of these forms, with their characteristic ring around the head, a potent nationalistic symbol so recognized as to be used in nineteenth century graves on both sides of the Atlantic by all those wishing to identify themselves as Irish.
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Review
"Those great stone crosses standing out in Ireland's countryside are the country's greatest contribution to world sculpture, and contain the largest amount of religious carving preserved anywhere in Europe from the last quarter of the first Christian millennium. They are found in what are now churchyards, but were once monasteries of piety and peace which spread Ireland's zeal for learning and scholarship across the European continent. These crosses stand as elegant monuments to a high civilisation, and their shape with the characteristic ring around the head became such a potent nationalistic symbol in the mid-19th century that it was used for grave memorials on both sides of the Atlantic for those who wanted to identify themselves as Irish.... The glory of Dr Powell's book is that it allows us to stand, figuratively, in front of these High Crosses, to look in wonder at their varying shapes and sizes, and admire the quality of master carvers' work of a thousand years ago.... It has been a great pleasure for me to re-live visits to these crosses through Dr Powell's admirable and often atmospheric pictures, and I hope her sense of wonderment and delight will be communicated through them to the many readers of this truly remarkable volume." - Dr Peter Harbison, Honorary Academic Editor of the Royal Irish Academy, from the Foreword"
About the Author
Dr Elinor Powell is a retired physician. Born in Dublin, she received her medical degree at Trinity College Dublin and also studied at the Harvard Medical School. She practiced medicine in Victoria, Canada from 1966 until her recent retirement. She has been taking photographs of Irish High Crosses since the 1980s - photographs which Colum Hourihane, Dublin-born director of the Index of Christian Art at Princeton University, calls "the best he has ever seen".
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherThe Liffey Press
- Publication date2007
- ISBN 10 1905785275
- ISBN 13 9781905785278
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages200
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The High Crosses of Ireland: Inspriations in Stone
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The High Crosses of Ireland: Inspriations in Stone
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The High Crosses of Ireland: Inspirations in Stone
Published by
The Liffey Press, Dublin, 2007
ISBN 10: 1905785275
ISBN 13: 9781905785278
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Signed
Seller: Renaissance Books, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Fine, Apparently Unread Copy With No Spine Crease. Inscribed And Signed On The Half Title Page By Author. Inscribed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 016934
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The High Crosses of Ireland: Inspriations in Stone
Published by
Liffey Press, 2007
ISBN 10: 1905785275
ISBN 13: 9781905785278
Used
Paperback
First Edition
Seller: Book House in Dinkytown, IOBA, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Very good- paperback copy, from a personal collection (NOT ex-library). Text and photos clean. Spine uncreased, binding tight and sturdy. Top edge of pages have faint wrinkling, corners have light bit of wear. Exterior still looks very nice (see our photo). Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Seller Inventory # 304938
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Seller Image
The High Crosses of Ireland: Inspriations in Stone
Published by
Liffey Press, 2008
ISBN 10: 1905785275
ISBN 13: 9781905785278
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Seller: killarneybooks, Inagh, CLARE, Ireland
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Paperback, xx + 198 pages, copiously illustrated with colour and b&w images, glossy paper, NOT ex-library. Mild wear, book is clean with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound. Tiny creases to tips of corners. Straight uncreased spine. -- An exploration of one of Ireland's most iconic symbols of early Christian art and spirituality, this richly illustrated book delves into the history, artistry, and cultural significance of the high crosses that dot the Irish landscape, offering readers an in-depth look at these monumental works of stone that have inspired awe and reverence for centuries. The high crosses of Ireland, often towering over the rolling hills and ancient monastic sites, are more than just religious monuments; they are a testament to the skill, faith, and artistry of the early Christian communities in Ireland. These stone crosses, intricately carved with biblical scenes, Celtic patterns, and symbolic imagery, served not only as markers of Christian devotion but also as teaching tools and communal gathering points in an era when most of the population was illiterate. The book traces the origins and development of these high crosses from the early medieval period, placing them in the context of Ireland's conversion to Christianity and the flourishing of monastic culture. The high crosses are presented not just as religious symbols, but as masterpieces of sculpture, embodying a fusion of Christian iconography and native Celtic art. The text delves into the symbolic meanings behind the carvings, exploring how the crosses reflect the theological and spiritual concerns of their time, while also connecting them to the broader artistic traditions of medieval Europe. The book covers a range of notable examples, from the well-known crosses at Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise to lesser-known but equally important crosses scattered across the Irish countryside. Each cross is meticulously described, with attention to its artistic features, historical background, and the legends or religious narratives associated with it. The author also discusses the technical aspects of their creation, including the methods and materials used by the medieval stone carvers. In addition to the historical and artistic analysis, the book also explores the role of the high crosses in contemporary Irish identity. These ancient stones, which once served as centers of monastic and community life, continue to be potent symbols of Ireland's Christian heritage and cultural resilience. They are celebrated not only for their beauty and craftsmanship but also for their enduring spiritual significance in a modern world. -- Contents: Foreword; Introduction; 1. Ireland and the Coming of Christianity; 2. Early Celtic Crosses in County Donegal; 3. The Granite Crosses of the Barrow Valley; 4. The High Crosses of Ossory; 5. Sites with a Single Scriptural Cross of the Ninth or Tenth Century; 6. Clonmacnoise: Where the Stately Shannon Flows; 7. Kells: That Ancient Sanctuary; 8. Monasterboice: A Place Apart; 9. Examples of Twelfth-Century High Crosses: Emblems of Diocese; Bibliography -- "Those great stone crosses standing out in Ireland's countryside are the country's greatest contribution to world sculpture, and contain the largest amount of religious carving preserved anywhere in Europe from the last quarter of the first Christian millennium. They are found in what are now churchyards, but were once monasteries of piety and peace which spread Ireland's zeal for learning and scholarship across the European continent. These crosses stand as elegant monuments to a high civilisation, and their shape with the characteristic ring around the head became such a potent nationalistic symbol in the mid-19th century that it was used for grave memorials on both sides of the Atlantic for those who wanted to identify themselves as Irish." (Peter Harbison, from the Foreword). Seller Inventory # 010346
Quantity: 1 available