# Moone High Cross [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [PRE-ROMANESQUE SCULPTOR, Irish]() - Date: 0801-0850 - Technique: Granite ## Commentary The stone monuments of the end of the 7th century are blocks of some 1.8 m or more high, carved with Greek crosses in circles, the ends of the crosses often being twisted into spiral decorations. Some have a schematic representation of the Crucifixion, with the lance and sponge thrust upwards by rudimentary figures, a motive of Byzantine origin, or with crosses ornamented with spirals and interlacings. These were erected in the 7th century possibly as gravestones. It is not until the 8th-12th century that the great standing crosses appear, and then not only in Ireland, but also in all the British Isles. Some crosses are carved from fine limestone, which allows for more detailed working, some - like the Moone cross - are of granite, so that the carving is cruder. The Moone cross has many figure scenes, on all four sides, which must be read as a sequence: Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Daniel in the Lion's Den, on the east side; the Fiery Furnace, the Flight into Egypt, the Loaves and Fishes, on the south side, to represent God's providence in the Old and New Testaments; the Crucifixion, with Christ in Glory and the top of the cross on the west side, for Salvation; and on the north side, scenes from the Life of St Anthony to represent the life of contemplation. On the base are the twelve Apostles, in rows like so many little gingerbread men. The symbolic and didactic purpose of the images is of paramount importance, and where these crosses have sculptured scenes they must be read as texts, or rather as sermons in stone. ## Related artworks - [Ahenny High Cross]() - [Ahenny High Crosses]() - [Ahenny High Crosses]() - [Cross of Scriptures]() - [Cross of Scriptures]() - [Moone High Cross \(detail\)]() - [Moone High Cross \(detail\)]() - [Moone High Cross]() - [Muiredach's High Cross]() - [Muiredach's High Cross]() - [North Cross]() - [North Cross]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()