Graveslab in Gowran

Lying on the floor near the centre of the S wall of a 19th-century C of I church which was built on the former chancel of the 13th-century church of St Mary’s (KK020-060006-) in Gowran. A tapering slab (L 2.04m; Wth at top 0.55m; overall Wth at base 0.42m; surface Wth at base 0.34m; T 0.19m) with a chamfer along the upper edge of the sides and the base (Wth 0.05m). The slab is broken horizontally below the knop (upper portion L 1.98m; lower portion L 1.01m). The slab is decorated with an incised cross. The cross-head consists of a four-armed cross with fleur-de-lis terminals and a lozenge at the centre. It is enclosed within a double-lined quatrefoil, with a triple curving motif projecting inwardly at each indent of the quatrefoil. Beneath the cross-head there is a concentric circular knop. The cross-shaft terminates on a simple stepped base. There is no visible inscription. It is very similar to another graveslab (KK020-060057-) within the church. Stylistically this dates to the 13th/14th century. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 20 August 2019

A medieval Christian graveslab, 13th to 19th century in context, significant as a reused relic within a later church built on an earlier ecclesiastical site.