Confert - Zodaic Captial

Description

Deatils Dr. Christy Cunniffe - Unusual loaf-shaped limestone block bearing a carved image of a crab possibly representing cancer one of the 12 signs of the Zodiac from Clonfert. This seemed to have originally functioned as a base block. The circular socket likely supported a column of some sort. Stylistically it appears to be of Transitional date (early 13th century). It measures c. 30cm in diameter and about 20cm in height. In it's original condition it had eight of the crab-like carvings around its circumference. It was chopped and changed over time and has a slot to hold a gate hanger cut into it. The later reworking caused considerable damage but it is still possible to see all of the claws thus proving that there were eight individual motifs in all. If this is one of 12 of a full zodiac table then there are 11 yet to be discovered. Regardless it is quiet an unusual piece of ornament. I would be very interested in hearing yoou comments. Has anyone encountered a similar carving.