Calf of Man

Manx National Heritage

Intro

Museum's Description
- This is a great example of some early Christian art from the Viking age. Find out more by clicking on the museum description.
- The Calf of Man Crucifixion stone, an outstanding piece of Early Christian art, was found on the Calf of Man, the small island off the south-western tip of the Isle of Man, during the 18th century. The carving is part of the central panel of an altar frontal carved in low relief on a piece of local slate and has been dated to around 800 AD. The crucifixion scene portrays the robed figure of the still-living Christ. To his left stands the spear-bearer, who would originally have been balanced on the right by the sponge-bearer. Above the outstretched arms of Christ would have been two angels: the foot of one can just be seen. Purchased with funds from the National Art Collections Fund in 1956.