Inspiration from Celtic Art

These images are from the collection of Angela Missoni presenting this line of fashion during the Milan Fashion Week for Autumn/Winter 2010/2011.

These clothes were inspired by traditional Celtic fashion. The clothes consists of a lot of simple knitwork especially the shirts and the prints make a good combination with the flower patterned scarves and the long capes.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

MILLION LOOKS (2012) MFW: Missoni Fall/Winter 2010/2011 (Online) Available from: http://www.millionlooks.com/outfits/ mfw-missoni-fall-winter-2010-2011/ (Accessed: 19 May 2013)

                                                                                                                                                 

These jewellery pieces were inspired by traditional Celtic signs and symbols:






Celtic Amulet - Triskelion (Symbol for spirits, nature and being-ness).











Celtic Shield Knot Amulet (Symbol for protection from danger and warding off evil spirits).











Celtic Amulet - Tree of Life (Symbol for variation of all living creatures)







BIBLIOGRAPHY:
WULFLUND (2005) Celtic pendants (Online) Available from: http://www.wulflund.com/jewelry/amulets-and-talisman/celtic-pendants/?page=2&vp-page=1 (Accessed: 19 May 2013)

The Book of Kells

The Book of Kells, 680 individual pages, each one made from vellum (calf-skin) to have an excellent ad smooth writing surface. It is said that the Book of Kells was probably produced as to honour Saint Colombia from a monastery on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, in the early 8th century. Sometime in the 9th century to book was moved to Kells, Ireland after a viking raid. 


At some time in the 11th century, the book's cover was torn off and was thrown into a ditch. After that the book's cover was never found and the coverless book had suffered some water damage; but other than that it remained well preserved.



BIBLIOGRAPHY:

ABOUT (2013) The Book of Kells (Online) Available from: historymedren.about.com/od/bookofkell1/p/book_of_kells.htm (Accessed: 19 May 2013)

Lindisfarne Gospels

Lindisfarne Gospels are amongst the most publicly praised illuminated books around the world. The Holy Island forms part of the history of Lindisfarne Gospels as it's birthplace. In the 10th century, an inscription was added at the end of the original text, it stated that the manuscript was made 'in honour of God & St.Cuthbert by Eadfrith'. Eadfrith was the bishop of Lindisfarne, that died in 721.

Ethelwold, a bishop of Lindisfarne that was made bishop after Eadfrith died, made the book' s original leather binding. Ethelwold had been associated with Cuthbert while alive, and died about 740. Around the middle of the 18th century, an outer cover of gold, silver & gemstones were added to the book by Bill Frith the Anchorite.

Both covers, the leather and the gem ones have vanished but the manuscript has survived the thirteen centuries of the Middle Ages. Through the scholarly interest of Tudor Antiquaries the manuscript was preserved from destruction. Today, visitors from all over the world, visit the British Library in London, where they can see the Lindisfarne Gospels, part of Sir Robert Cotton's collection (d. 1631)  

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

THE LINDISFARNE GOSPELS (Online) Available from: www.lindisfarne.org.uk/gospels/ (Accessed: 19 May 2013)

The Tara Brooch

This brooch origin was attributed by a dealer in Tara, to have the brooch increased in value. This brooch was found near the seashore of Bettystown, Co.Meath in 1850. The brooch's structure is made out of cast and gilt silver from both sides. The front side is ornamented with a small number of gold filigree panels with the shape of animals and the back side has a cat decoration and it's also flatter than the front.

The tara brooch was considered to be represented as the pinnacle of early medieval Irish metalworker achievement. This piece of work is an excellent representation of high quality techniques and decoration on such a small object.




BIBLIOGRAPHY:
MUSEUM (2008) Silver-gilt annular brooch (The Tara Brooch)(Online) Available from: www.museum.ie/en/exhibition/list/ten-major-pieces.aspx?article=f5023773-46ac-4f02-8ffd-8d7b73844fa4 (Accessed: 17 May 2013)

The Muiredach Cross

Founded by St. Buithe mac Bronach in the early 5th century, the Monastery of Monasterboice was a sanctuary of learning in the 10th and 11th century. In the 10th century, the monastery was still a place of sanctuary even though it's community was said to be ended.

The Muiredach cross was one of the six high crosses that were on that site. The Muiredach cross was also known as the south cross and it is still standing and almost undamaged along with the west and north cross.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
BLUFFTON UNIVERSITY (2009) The West Side of the Muiredach Cross, Monasterboice, County Louth (Online) Available from: www.bluffton.edu/-sullivanm/muiredach/muiredach.html (Accessed: 17 May 2013)

Celtic Symbols

Celtic people are those that lived in Britain & Western Europe from 500 BC to 400 AD. Celts lived in small villages that were led by warrior chiefs in the era of the Iron Age. Celtic symbols & signs were considered to hold an incredible power to the Celts for many centuries.

Today, only by learning the language of the Celtic Symbols, can we learn about their power & how to utilize it. Records of Celts of Europe are very few, and it is very difficult to determine & trace signs & symbols.

The Romans had conquered the Celtic lands during the rise of the Roman Empire and therefore many facts have come through the Romans of that period.

Crosses Symbols:
 Represents the bridge/passage between heaven and earth. The circle symbolizes infinity and eternal love.





Five-fold Symbol:
Symbolizes four elements, middle circle unites all elements with a goal to reach balance



Triquetra Symbol:
It varies in aspects of spirit, nature, being-ness and of the cosmos.




BIBLIOGRAPHY:
WHATS-YOUR-SIGN (2005) Celtic Symbols and Signs (Online) Available from: www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-symbols.html (Accessed: 17 May 2013)

Book of Durrow

Perhaps one of the oldest surviving Insular gospel, is the Book of Durrow or the Codex Usserianus 1 (Trinity college MSA.4.5.57). It is the earliest example of the Insular illustrations and it's layout. The text in the Book of Durrow, consists of prefatory pages and Vulgate version of the gospels.

Around the 650-675, it is not sure where the manuscript was written whether at Durrow Abbey, County Offaly, Ireland, or Northumbria, England. Regardless the place where the manuscript was written it was found in Durrow Abbey. Here a cumdach (silver covering) was made to protect the manuscript. This inscription was added to the text; "the prayer and benediction of St. Columbkille be upon Flann, the son of Malachi, King of Ireland, who caused this cover to be made."

The manuscript remained at Durrow, till the 16th century, the abbey came to an end.

The legend says that, the manuscript next custodian had put the manuscript had put the manuscript in his watering trough, because he believed that it could save his cattle from sickness.

Around 1662, the Bishop of Clogher & Vice-Chancellor of Trinity College, Henry Jones, presented the book to the College Library, where one can still find it today.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
CODEX 99 (2003) The Book of Durrow (Online) Available from: www.codex99.com/typography/33.html (Accessed: 19 May 2013)