The Red Abbey Crucifix

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The Red Abbey Crucifix

Description

A crucifix figure in bronze. The figure has a band around the head with a portion of it falling over the right shoulder and the head leaning to the right. The face has a pointed chin, ovoid eyes and protruding ears. The arms are missing as well as the right foot. The figure wears a long loin-cloth with a series of curved folds, which help to accentuate the physique of the figure. The most unusual feature of the Red Abbey figure is the series of tiny folds of the loin-cloth between the thighs. The exact circumstances of the find are unclear. Red Abbey is probably a reference to Abbeyderg, an Augustinian priory, founded in Co. Longford in 1217, somewhat later than the likely date of the crucifix figure. ?Irish.

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