The Derrinaflan Bowl is a significant medieval treasure that holds a place of honor in the main National Museum of Ireland. It is often overshadowed by its more famous sister, the Ard's Cup, but it is nonetheless a stunning piece of metalwork with an intriguing history.
The Derrinaflan Hoard, of which the Chalice (the Derrinaflan Bowl) was the largest and most beautifully decorated component, was discovered on the island of Derrynaflan, near Killenaule in County Tipperary, Ireland. Derrynaflan was the site of an abbey from early Christian times, and the ruins had been protected by the National Monuments Act since 1930, making it illegal to interfere with or damage the site.
In 1980, Michael Webb and his son, hobbyist metal detectorists from Clonmel, visited the site with permission from the owner to explore but not to dig. Despite this restriction, they discovered a significant metal deposit and decided to dig it up. Inside a large upside-down bronze bowl, they found a bowl, a silver paten, a hoop possibly used as a stand for the paten, and a liturgical strainer. The bowl bore a striking resemblance to the well-known Ard's Cup found nearby in County Limerick.
Realizing the value of their discovery, Webb concealed it for three weeks before contacting a prominent archaeologist who reported it to the National Museum. During the subsequent excavation, several missing pieces of each object were found. Webb received a reward of £10,000 for his discovery and was hailed as a national hero. However, dissatisfied with this compensation, he launched a legal battle that lasted nearly seven years, ultimately taking his case to the Supreme Court. Despite his efforts, he was unsuccessful in securing the £5 million he demanded in compensation.
This legal dispute led to a complete revision of Ireland's treasure laws, with the state automatically owning all archaeological sites and prohibiting their concealment or trade. While the outcome was not what the Webbs had hoped for, the state voluntarily offered them an additional £50,000 for their role in the discovery. This event marked a significant change in how Ireland manages its archaeological heritage, ensuring that valuable finds like the Derrinaflan Hoard are properly preserved and protected.
The Derrinaflan Bowl is believed to have been buried in the ground during the turbulent period of the 10th to 12th centuries in Irish history. This era was marked by Viking raids and dynastic battles, which put tremendous stress on the country. Monasteries, during this time, were among the wealthiest institutions in Ireland, serving as centers of education, learning, and religion. The monks who resided in these monasteries were highly educated and skilled in various arts, including metalwork. They crafted exquisite ornaments and religious objects.
Monasteries were attractive targets for Viking raids due to their wealth, and monks often had to protect their most valuable possessions by burying them when a raid was imminent. As a result, treasures like the one discovered at Derrinaflan were not uncommon. However, what makes the Derrinaflan Bowl exceptional is that it stands as one of the finest and most beautiful examples of ecclesiastical art from that era.
The monastery at the Derrynaflan site was founded in the 6th century by Ruadho Of Lorrh. Its name, "Doire na bhFlann" in Irish, translates to "forest of two Flanns," with these two Flanns later becoming saints and co-patrons of the area. Despite its location surrounded by marshes, the monastery had well-established paths connecting it to other areas, making it easily accessible. It had strong connections with churches in Lismore, Emley, Cork, and alliances with the Eile and Eoganacht tribes that dominated the surrounding lands. This interaction with various sources likely enriched the skills and artistic inspiration of the monks.
The design of the Derrynaflan Bowl bears a striking resemblance to another famous Irish national treasure, the Ard Bowl. The Chalice of Ard predates the Derrinaflan Bowl, and its breathtaking craftsmanship likely influenced monasteries throughout Ireland when it was created. Although the Derrinaflan Bowl is smaller, less ornate, and less refined in craftsmanship compared to the Ard Bowl, it still represents significant advancements in metalworking techniques and stands as a beautiful work of art in its own right.
The Derrynaflan Bowl consists of several parts, the two main ones being the bowl and the base, which are secured by a hollow cast copper alloy pin that locks in place with a retaining plate on the underside of the base. It is much safer than the Ard Bowl and is constructed of higher quality materials, a testament to the progress made in the skills and methods of the artisans. The bowl and base are made of forged silver, polished on a lathe, and the entire piece is 19.2 cm in height and 21 cm in diameter. There are two handles attached to each side of the bowl, and both the bowl and base have several panels of gold filigree as well as 54 amber carnations. The bowl and base had to be decorated separately before installation and then finished.
A band of gold filigree lines the outside of the Bowl Bowl and the upper flat section of the base plate, each interspersed with amber studs at equal distances. The stem where the bowl meets the base is also covered with gold decorative panels, and the handles also contain recesses into which filigree panels are inserted and held in place by stitching. The handles and foot are the most ornate elements of the bowl with round and diamond-shaped panels contrasting with the simple ribbon decoration and square studs along the base and bowl. The handles consist of one large central circular panel with three smaller circles forming a triangle, with filigree panels between them. The barrel section consists of alternating diamond-shaped and circular panels.
Within the filigree panels, the most common are interlaced panels and images of animals and their heads, including wingless griffins and dogs. The style of the animals is similar to that of a rich brooch from the same period, indicating that the chalice was built in the 9th century in time for the Viking raids on Ireland. The animals are encircled with beaded wire, and tapered spirals are also regularly included in the design. Although the overall design and decor is very similar to the Ard bowl (except for the medallions on the front and back of the bowl), the differences in skills, materials and methods clearly show that they were not made in the same place or by the same people.