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YII. 



THE DEXTER A Z)^/ SCULPTURED Olf THE HIGH CROSSES 

 OE IRELAND. By ERANCIS JOSEPH BIGGER, M.R.I.A., 

 F.R.S.A.I. 



[Read April 9th, 1900.] 



So far as I can at present ascertain, Tve liaye only three examples of the 

 symbol kno'^ivn as the Dextera Dei, or Right Hand of God caryed upon 

 the high crosses of Ireland, nor have I observed it in any other sculptiu'e 

 anterior to the thirteenth centnry in this country. It occuxs on the 

 Cross of Muiredach. at llonasterboice, on the Cross of King Eland at 

 Clonmacnoise, and on th.e Cross in Kells street. The two former are 

 by far the most remarkable in form and in the position they occupy 

 upon the Cross itself. In each case they are on the underside of one 

 of the arms Tvith the wrist towards the shaft as if to symbolize the 

 Hand of God supporting the Cross ; they are distinct and alone, not 

 being connected with any other subject, and represent the full Hand, 

 all the fingers extended. Both are surrounded with ornamental 

 circles or nimbi, that of Monasterboice being more ornamental than 

 the other. Both, howeyer, bear one distinct feature, which is this, 

 they must either represent the palm of the left hand or the back of 

 the right hand, as the thumb is depicted on the left side. 



If the latter, which is more probable, then the idea suggested of 

 the Hand of God supporting the Cross is the more apparent, for the 

 arm of the cross leans on the palm of the hand, and the back is 

 exposed to yiew. We do not consider it was eyer intended to repre- 

 sent the left hand. 



In the case of the Kells Cross representation, tlie subject is quite 

 differently treated. To the left is a large bearded figure holding 

 something like a square, below which kneel two figures, the 

 " square " forms a comer in which is the Dextera Dei, with the wrist 

 to the upper comer and the thumb and two first fingers hangmg 

 down ; the other two fingers are closed on the palm as in the act of 

 blessing. It may be added here that the position of the fingers 

 approach more nearly the Greek form of blessing than the Latin form, 

 and there is no nimbus. 



