Bronze Crozier Head

Photographs and information reproduced courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland Kildare St.

This piece dates from c. 1100 A.D. It is said to have been found at Clonard in the course of river drainage. It is typical of a small abbots' staff or crook which when complete can measure up to one metre in length. Many of these were regarded in later times as belonging to early Irish Saints. The decoration enables it to be dated to the late eleventh or twelfth century.