Graveslab in Waterford City

From: Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. (1989) Urban archaeology Survey of Waterford City and County, 2 vols. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works. vol. 2, 282-3. Graveslab. 1639. On the ground under the tower at S of the Franciscan church (WA009-005032-). Rectangular limestone slab. Incomplete, in seven pieces. Set under the south side of the tower. It is decorated in low false relief with a marginal Roman lettered inscription, a fleur-de-lys cross with an IHS in the centre flanked by the sun, moon, symbols of the Passion and coats of arms. The symbols of the Passion include the flowering rod, spear, stick, cup and crown of thorns. The inscription survives in part on two sides of the slab: …MERCATOR QVI OBIIT/ 5 DIE MAII A DNI 1639 E VXOR EJVS ANAST [as]/ Dims. 1.86m x 1.023m; T 0.14m. Power (1894-5, 218; Mems. Dead VI (1904-06) 159. Date of upload: 24 August 2010

17th-century Christian gravestone; significant as a rare surviving example of early modern funerary art in Waterford.