St.John the Evangelist ‘the Eagle’ Irish Pewter Goblet

HISTORY

The Book of Kells is now kept at Trinity College in Dublin. It contains the four Gospels and other writings in Latin. It was written on vellum (prepared calfskin) and illuminated with lavish decoration of plant, animal and human life plus amazing abstract decoration of Celtic knotwork and interlaced designs. It was possibly written in the early 800's by the Columban monks in the scriptorium of the Iona community which had originated in Argyllshire, Scotland in the 6th Century but they escaped to Kells, County Meath, Ireland, after a Viking raid left 68 dead.

The book is regarded as a masterpiece of Celtic art and decoration.