CELTIC BIRDS AND BEASTS
This panel is based upon a design from the Book of Lindisfarne, an outstanding masterpiece of English book illumination. The manuscript was probably written and decorated by Eadfrith, Bishop of the Lindisfarne monastery, between 690-698AD. The book remained there until 875AD, when Danish invaders forced the monks to leave their Holy Island; it can now be found at the British Museum. The design consists of sixteen birds and eight beasts. The heads of eight birds are intertwined with the legs of the beasts in the centre of the panel. The remaining birds' heads are intertwined with the beasts' heads which are at the top and bottom of the panel.

This particular plaque measures 9.5cm x 18.5cm