Cumdach for the Cathach of St. Columba
Photograph from the History of Ulster published 1919. Attributed only to Moore, Dublin. Probably William George Moore who had a studio in Sackville St from 1880-1923. No other biographical details known. Info from wiki: A cumdach (Old Irish pronunciation: [ˈkuṽdax]) or book shrine is an elaborate ornamented box or case used as a reliquary to enshrine books regarded as relics of the saints who had used them in Early Medieval Ireland. Probably the best-known is the cumdach for the Cathach of St. Columba, an important psalter which in fact seems to date from just after the death of Columba or Colum Cille in 597, but is still probably the earliest Irish book to survive and a very prestigious relic. It belonged to the O'Donnell dynasty and was famously carried by them as a battle standard (Cathach means "Battler") in its cumdach (NMI, R2835, cm wide), hung round the neck. The initial work on the case was done between 1072 and 1098 at Kells, but a new main face was added in the 14th century with a large seated Christ in Majesty flanked by scenes of the Crucifixion and saints in gilt repoussé
Size: 4057px × 3408px
Photo credit: © Historical Images Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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