9ct Large Four Gospels Celtic Cross

Description

9ct Yellow Celtic Cross on a 18″ 9ct gold chain
20mm by 30mm
The Cross has been Irish Hallmarked at the Assay office in Dublin Castle

The Irish Cross with its distinctive circle emerged in the eighth or ninth century AD. There are various theories as to what the design originally meant, but nothing that historians or archaeologists agree on. Some think it may have been inspired by the nimbus or halo common in Coptic Christian art while others suggest that it signifies the eclipse of pagan Irish sun worship by the cross of Christ or none of the above .