Architectural fragment in Townplots

This fragment is on display on the first floor of the Kinsale Museum, which is situated in the old Market House (CO112-034007-). It consists of a highly-decorated chamfered fragment (0.26m x 0.25m; H 0.25m), probably part of a window or door jamb (that came from a house inside the town wall near the Friar's Gate (pers. comm. E. Gillan). The chamfer is carved with Classical motifs arranged in panels and is dominated by the date '1574' above a narrow band of stylised foliated trefoils from which hangs a pendant comprising a single chain link and a stem with two leaves and fruits or kernel-like embellishments below. The pendant is further enhanced by single ribbons on either side hanging from the link. The panel above the date contains a double swag-like motif. The chamfer is flanked by typical Gothic decoration comprising a twisted rope-like motif linking two stylised Tudor roses (left) and a band of four vine leaves arranged in regular diamond fashion with the intervening triangular spaces filled with bunches of grapes and foliate or knot motifs (right). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009