Calf of Man Altar Panel

Calf of Man altar panel depicting the Crucifixion

First Christians - Early Christian Period - 500 AD to 798 AD

Dimensions: Maximum length 65.3cm, Maximum width 24.8cm, breadth 3.5cm

Manx Museum Accession Number - 1956-0011

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.

The carving is on display in the Manx Museum.

Purchased with funds from the National Art Collections Fund in 1956.

A selection of Early Christian objects -

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