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Object type: Cross-head [1] [2]
Measurements: H. 36.4 cm ( 14.3 in) W. 52 cm (20.5 in) D. 21 cm (8.3 in)
Stone type: Very coarse-grained Millstone Grit, with sub-angular to angular grains (including feldspar) and pebbles up to 10mm in size; burnt extensively to a red colour (2YR 5/6). Stone provenance as Kirby Hill 1 (All Saints, Kirkby-on-the-Moor)
Plate numbers in printed volume: Ills. 363–7
Corpus volume reference: Vol 6 p. 132
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A free-arm cross-head of type A11, with circular arm-pits and squared arms.
A (broad) : The edge moulding is double, each element broad and modelled, and running round the cross perimeter. Within the cross-head is a Crucifixion, the head lost and the legs very worn. In the lateral arms Christ's elbows are dipped and the forearms extended to accommodate the panel. The hands are worn, but enlarged and spread.
B (narrow) : Very worn and damaged. The tip of the cross-arm has openly arranged closed circuit interlace discernible chiefly by the deeply gouged hole-points.
The shaft has broken vertical elements standing proud.
C (broad) : Very worn indeed; possible interlace.
D (narrow) : The arm-tip has very worn interlace and the shaft has a broad flat edge moulding. Within the panel is a damaged protuberance.
E (top) : In the broken surface of the upper arm are two dowel holes, probably from a repair.
The Crucifixion is in the Irish and Anglo-Scandinavian position on the cross-head, and like those at Thornton Watlass for example (Ills. 812, 813), displays the enlarged hands typical of Ireland and north Yorkshire (see Chap. V, p. 37). The free-arm cross was common alongside the ring-heads in this area and demonstrates the continuity of Anglian traditions.
[1] The following are general references to the Kirby Hill stones: Lunn [1867], 13; Allen and Browne 1885, 353; Allen 1890, 293; Bulmer 1890, 734; Hodges 1894, 195, 201; Morris, J. 1904, 212, 420; Thompson 1908, 113; Stapleton 1923, 7, 10, 53; Morris, J. 1931, 212, 417; Pontefract and Hartley [1936], 126; Mee 1941, 125; Taylor and Taylor 1965, I, 355; Pevsner 1966, 210; Morris, R. 1989, 161; Muir 1997, 96–7.
[2] The following is an unpublished manuscript reference to no. 7: BL Add. MS 37552 no. XIV, item 629 (Romilly Allen collection).
