- Chapter Thirty-Seven -
boss-style on the cross, which appears to imitate metalwork (a late feature possibly
derived from Iona; Figure 37.6. Some Iona crosses share with the Kildalton cross,
Islay, the use of bosses containing internal pellets, serpent-and-boss ornament, elab-
orate spiral work and a style of carving which may also be derived from metalwork,
and which distinguishes them from the Ahenny group of similar date.
Some forms are unusual in having ornamentation which may have had symbolic
significance such as the cross-slab from Meifod, Powys (Figure 37.5), which bears an
unusual dedication, including triquetra and other knots taken to represent the Trinity
as well as snakes and a fearsome rodent taken to represent the force of evil.
Similar triquetra knots appear on the base of the 'Conbelin' stone at Margam,
Glamorgan, beside riders in a hunting scene. Christian interpretations have
ffi
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214Figure 37.11 Chi-rho and alpha/omega symbols from Ireland, Wales and Scotland (not to
scale). I - Penmachno, Dyfed; 2 - Kilcorban, Co. Kerry; 3-4 - Drumaqueran, Co. Antrim;
5 - Kirkmadrine; 6 - Dinas Emrys (on North African Red Slipware); 7 - St Endeileo,
Cornwall; 8 - Iniscealtra, Co. Clare; 9 - Knockane, Co. Kerry; 10 - Arraglen, Co. Kerry;
II - Iona, Argyll; 12 - Kilshannig, Co. Kerry; 13 - Treflys, Gwynedd; 14 - Loher, Co. Kerry;
15 - Reask, Co. Kerry.