CELTIC VESSEL​

Modern and traditional interpretations in clay, celebrating the Book of Kells

The Book of Kells is considered a masterpiece of Celtic art because of its elaborate illumination, calligraphy, and symbolism. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of illustrations. Many of these illustrations are of animals, including snakes, peacocks, lions and birds.

The Book of Kells was created in the monastery of Iona, an island off Scotland’s west coast. The monastery was founded in the 6th century and was a center of learning and artistic production. In the late 8th century, Viking raids on the island caused the monks to flee and seek refuge elsewhere. They eventually settled in the town of Kells in Ireland, where they continued their artistic and spiritual practices.