📖 Ancient Restoration
Detail, Irish Cross of Cong, showing Urnes/Viking-style interlace and a gleaming eyed beast gripping the base in its jaws.
Creations in metalwork such as the Cross of Cong marked the magnificent finale of the Irish Insular #art tradition of the Middle Ages:
📖 Ancient Restoration
Cross of Cong: Commissioned by King Turlough O'Connor in the 'High-Kings w/ opposition' period to gain a cultural edge over rival kingdoms.
The flowering of 11/12thC. Irish #art was partly due to its sponsorship by provincial kings, as they competed for regal & moral authority.