Tomb

In the OPW store, Kilkenny (Kilkenny depot stone carving number: KD011). Portion of limestone chest tomb, possibly of an end slab (L 0.26m; H 0.41m; T 0.12m), carved in false relief. This small portion of a panel depicts the head, torso and partial wings of an angel, possibly St Michael, with a small length of the border (Wth 0.035-0.04m) of the panel above. The angel is wearing a pleated garment with a cape over his shoulders. Stylistically it is similar to two other pieces (KK019-026374- and KK019-026375-) of a chest tomb in the Kilkenny depot and all three possibly came from the same tomb. See attached: KK019-026376-_01 (photograph by Chris Corlett) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 25 January 2023

Chest tomb, likely dating to the Early Christian period (5th–9th century AD). Its carved false relief indicates a level of artistic and funerary significance, possibly associated with an ecclesiastical or high-status burial.