E face of a late Saxon wheel-headed cross N of the church at Lanivet, Cornwall, England, UK, featuring a man with a 'tail' on the granite shaft .
E face of a late Saxon wheel-headed cross N of the church at Lanivet, Cornwall, England, UK, featuring a man with a 'tail'. The granite shaft is divided into 6 panels on the N, S & W, only 5 on the E but the bottom panel is sub-divided vertically with dots on the L & a latin cross on the R. From the top: two oval rings form a diagonal cross. An incised male figure tall with both feet pointing L to an area of dots. On his lower R side is a 'tail' with a heart-shaped motif halfway down & two short lines across the end: a genuine tail or possibly a key on a string. Below that a panel of interlace, a panel of three lines of dots & the sub-divided bottom panel. Considered to be C10th, part of the "western British Viking-age sculptural tradition." It is Grade II* Listed & stands in its original position in St Nevet's churchyard. Traditionally the cross marks the centre of Cornwall: "in the centre of the county, north, south, east and west.' The church is situated halfway along the Forth-y-Sans, the Saints Way: miles from Padstow to Fowey avoiding the treacherous waters around Land's End. Lanivet means the church at Neved, rather than being dedicated to a St Nevet it may come from the pre-Christian word neved (a sacred place) or nemet (a sacred grove). The figure may show pagan influence, a connection with fertility rites, be a reaction against paganisn or depict a Christian saint with a key.
Size: 2746px × 3887px
Location: Church of St Nevet, Lanivet, Bodmin, Cornwall, England, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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