I've been perusing my books, looking for other photographs of the Kilfenora
window "decorations". I have been unable to find one, other than the one in
the Cunningham booklet - sold at Tourist Bureau kiosk in Ireland. But I have
come across a different representation of the figures. Until I get back into
the darkroom, I can't be sure. But I still favor the original idea suggested
by my neighbor. Here's the relevant passage (no photo) from John Hunt's 1974
tome "Irish Medieval Figure Sculpture 1200-1600":
"the east window in the chancel appears to be late twelfth century. The
capital of its southern pier has four human heads carved upon it. There are
two on the southern splay, one at the corner and one on the northern face.
These have crockets (croziers?) on the dexter side of three of them. They
wear cape-like vestment gathered at the neck, and their hands are clasped in
a devotional attitude in front of them. The figure without the crocket has a
different garment, the end thrown back over the right shoulder. The hair is
made up of conventionalized knob-like curls and the treatment of the bordered
eyes and protruding lips suggests an intimate connection with Corcomroe"
So I guess there will have to be a vote at some time - preferably by people
more qualified than I am. I'll try to get my photo out into the public soon.
Of course, I don't have a scanner so that's out. We'll see.
Pete Schermerhorn, in the glorious Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|