Crosses:EROL

St. Martin's Cross~The detail on this double sided cross is excellent and is true to the original in the Abbey grounds. One side shows an interlacement of serpents and bosses, while the other depicts scenes from the Bible. The large cross is 2¾" x 1" and comes on a heavy silver chain 20" long. The smaller version is 1½" x 1" and comes on a medium weight silver chain, 18 inches long.~~St. Martin%27s Cross Large|IC01|St. Martin%27s Cross Small|IC09|~674~682~~

St. John's Cross~Based on the original which stands in the Abbey grounds, this detailed piece is carved on both sides. The cross is 2¾"x1½" and comes on a heavy silver chain 20" long. The smaller version is 1¾" x 1" and comes on a medium weight silver chain, 18 inches long.~~St. John%27s Cross Large|IC02|St. John%27s Cross Small|IC08|~674~681~~

St. Orland's Cross~This stunning piece measures 3" x 1¾" and comes on a heavy silver chain 20" long. Listed in an old catalogue of the Ritchies as St. Orland’s cross, the origins of St. Orland and his connection to Iona are a mystery. The cross is decorated with the foliage found on many of Iona’s carved stonework.~~St. Orland%27s Cross|IC03|~674~675~~

Crucifixion~Unusually for a Celtic cross, this design shows the figure of Christ. It may have been influenced by the Christ figure on MacLean’s cross. It has detail of trinity knots and interlacements. The cross is 2¾" x 1½" and comes on a heavy silver chain 20" long.~~Crucifixion|IC04|~674~676~~

St. Columba's Pillow~This cross is known as the pillow cross from the legend that St. Columba used a stone as a pillow and that one morning when he awoke, the image of the ringed cross had appeared on it. In the 19th century a crofter ploughed up an oval stone with a ringed cross carved on it, in a field near the Abbey. The stone became known as the Pillow Cross, because of the famous legend. This piece shows the pillow cross on one side and on the other has St. Columba’s prophecy of the island, written in gaelic which reads, 'In Iona of my heart, Iona of my love. In place of monks’ voices will be lowing of cattle. But ere the world shall come to an end, Iona shall be as it was.' The cross is 1¼" x 1" and comes on a medium weight silver chain 18" long. The small version of the pillow cross is just ¾" x ½" and comes on light weight silver chain 18" long. The detail on the back reads, 'Iona St.Columba’s Pillow'.~~St. Columba%27s Pillow Large|IC06|St. Columba%27s Pillow Small|IC12|~674~680~~

Nunnery Cross~The design of this double ribbon cross was inspired by a stone carving found in the Reilig Odhrain, Iona's burial ground. For many years the stone was kept in the Nunnery grounds, hence its name. However many people do feel it is a very feminine cross probably due to its open, flowing design. The Nunnery cross is 2 ½" x 1 ¼" and comes on a heavy silver chain 20" long.

The small version (Inset, right) has a solid background and different proportions and is a popular version of the Nunnery cross. The cross is 1 ½" x 1" and comes on a medium weight silver chain 18" long.~~Nunnery Cross Large|IC05|Nunnery Cross Small|IC07|~674~679~~

St. Oran's Cross~This piece is named after Odhran or St.Oran, thought to be a follower of St.Columba. There is a legend that he gave his life to consecrate the ground of St.Columba’s first church. The chapel and burial ground beside the Abbey are named after him. The cross is 1¼" x ¾" and comes on a medium weight silver chain 18" long.~~St. Oran%27s Cross|IC11|~674~678~~

St. Columba's Pillow Cross~This cross is known as the pillow cross from the legend that St. Columba used a stone as a pillow and that one morning when he awoke, the image of the ringed cross had appeared on it. In the 19th century a crofter ploughed up an oval stone with a ringed cross carved on it, in a field near the Abbey. The stone became known as the Pillow Cross, because of the famous legend. This piece shows the pillow cross without the stone background. The cross is 1¼" x 1" and comes on a medium weight silver chain 18" long.~~St. Columba%27s Pillow Cross|IC10|~674~677~~

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