Arda Tie bar – Sterling Silver and Rare Irish Gold

Product Description

HISTORY

The design of this pendant has been inspired by the Ardagh Chalice dated to the 8th Century. The design used is from the band at the top of the chalice.

It was found in County Limerick, Ireland in 1868 and it now takes pride of place in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.

'The Ardagh Chalice is one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church. It is part of a hoard of objects found in the 19th century by a young man digging for potatoes near Ardagh, Co. Limerick. It was used for dispensing Eucharistic wine during the celebration of Mass. The form of the chalice recalls late Roman tableware, but the method of construction is Irish.The bowl and foot of the chalice are made of spun silver. The outer side of the bowl is decorated with applied gold, silver, glass, amber and enamel ornament. The underside of the foot is also highly decorated and contains a polished rock crystal at the centre.The bowl is attached to the stem and foot by a bronze pin. The names of eleven apostles and St. Paul are inscribed below the band of gold filigree and studs encircling the bowl. The letters are seen against a stippled background. Incised animal decoration can also be seen below two handle escutcheons, which are decorated with elaborate glass studs and filigree panels.'

National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (www.museum.ie)

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