Medieval Carved Moulding Terminals - Co. Kildare

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This pair of carved medieval terminals from an arch or hood moulding would have originally belonged to a high status building, possibly located in Co. Kildare, which likely dated from the early 16th century. They were later salvaged and reused, being incorporated in the wall surrounding the old graveyard in Co. Kildare’s Lyons estate. Long considered lost, they have recently been secured in Irish ownership.

Both stones are very deeply carved and each depicts a lion. That on the left stone is shown attacking a creature, while the lion on the right is devouring a leg. The creature in question is possibly an antelope and these motifs may have been copied from continental manuscript illustrations. Stylized vine plants, a common motif in Ireland during this period, extend from the terminals of the moudlings. The left stone also has a large Tudor rose carved beside the lion.