|
This piece is based on a piece of
enamelwork from approximately 7th century AD. The
original had birds' heads as terminals, but I
have made mine snakes because of their connection
with regeneration. Because it
comes from the Christian period it probably
symbolized the trinity, but in the ancient Celtic
religion there were many gods and goddesses with
three faces. It is fashionable now to associate
the number three with the womanly triad of
maiden, mother, crone, but in ancient Ireland
there were many triads, e.g. "Three
hands that are the best in the world: the hand of
a skilled carpenter, the hand of a skilled woman,
and the hand of a skilled smith." (See
also Triple
Spiral)
|
<<previous | next>>
Colour:Blue
Soyer 143/153
Size: 1 3/4" diam
|
