PAST EXAM PAPERS Section1 Prehistory + Early Christian Period 2011 1. The two pieces of neck jewellery illustrated on the accompanying sheet are examples of pre- Christian metalwork. Name, describe discuss both examples referring to the period in which they were made, materials, form, decoration the techniques used in their production. Discuss briefly the influence of the La Tène style on later Irish art of the early Christian period. [Illustrated were the Gleninsheen gorget the Broighter collar] 2. The construction techniques used in pre-christian burial sites show some similarities with those of early Christian architecture. Discuss this statement with detailed reference to similarities in materials techniques between one named pre-christian example one named early Christian example. Discuss briefly the different functions of the examples you have chosen. 3. Discuss the stylistic developments in early Christian manuscripts from the Cathach to the Book of Kells. In your answer make reference to the layout, the use of colour the approaches to decoration. Name describe briefly one page from any manuscript of your choice. 2010 1. Name, describe discuss the two objects which are illustrated on the accompanying sheet, referring to their form, function, materials, decoration the techniques used in their production. Discuss briefly the periods in which they were made. [Illustrated were the Broighter collar a lunula] 2. Describe discuss early Irish architecture, referring in your answer to monastic settlements, churches beehive huts. Explain briefly the techniques used in the construction of either Gallarus Oratory, Co. Kerry or the Church of St. Macdara, Co. Galway. 3. Discuss the stylised treatment of the human figure in Irish Manuscripts such as the Book of Durrow or the Book of Kells. Refer in your answer to one named page from either book. Discuss briefly how such manuscripts were made explain what their original function was. 1
4. The metalwork craftsmen of the eleventh century created works of great visual impact. Discuss this statement making detailed reference to the St. Patrick s Bell Shrine the Lismore Crosier which are illustrated on the accompanying sheet. Name describe briefly one other example of metalwork from the period. Illustrate your answer 2009 1. The Iron Age in Irel saw a change in the design decoration of metal objects stone carving. Discuss this statement making reference to one named example of metalwork one named example of stone carving of the period. Discuss briefly the influence of the La Tène style on later Irish art of the Early Christian period. 2. Describe discuss the development of stone crosses in Irel from the Fahan Mura Slab in Co. Donegal to the High Cross of Dysart O Dea in Co. Clare. Give at least three specific examples refer in your answer to form, imagery /decoration, stone working techniques function. 3. Name, describe discuss in detail the two artefacts from the 7th 8th century which are illustrated on the accompanying sheet. In your answer make reference to the materials, decoration, form function. Explain briefly the techniques used in their production. [illustrated were the Ardagh Chalice the Tara Brooch] 2008 1. Describe discuss the stone carvings at Newgrange, referring to their location, motifs, the techniques used. Compare the carvings at Newgrange with one other example of stone carving from the pre-christian period. 2. Irish Bronze Age gold artefacts reflect both the design skills craft skills of their makers. Discuss this statement with reference to the form, function, decoration metalworking techniques of any two named gold objects from this period. Write a brief account of the Bronze Age people in Irel on their sourcing of raw materials for their gold artefacts. 2
3. The pages illustrated on the accompanying sheet are from two Irish illuminated manuscripts. Name the manuscripts describe compare both pages referring to layout, imagery, design, colour symbolism. Discuss briefly the function of these manuscripts the conditions that enabled their production. [Illustrated were the page of the evangelist Matthew from the Book of Durrow the Chi Rho page from Kells 4. The two works illustrated on the accompanying sheet are examples of Irish metalwork stone work. Name, compare discuss both examples in detail referring to the period in which they were made, their form, decoration the materials techniques used in their production. Explain briefly the function of both objects. [Illustrated were the Cross of Ahenny the Cross of Cong] 2007 1. The two pieces of neck jewellery illustrated on the accompanying sheet are examples of pre- Christian metalwork. Name, describe discuss both examples referring to the period in which they were made, materials, form, decoration the techniques used in their production explain what you mean by the term La Tène. [Illustrated were the Broighter collar the Gleninsheen gorget] 2. Describe discuss the Derrynaflan Paten the Lismore Crozier which are illustrated on the accompanying sheet. In your answer make reference to their materials, form decoration, explain the techniques used in their production explain compare the function of these objects. 2006 1. Describe discuss the megalithic site of Newgrange, referring in your answer to location, general description, structure decoration discuss the function of Newgrange, referring to the skills spiritual beliefs of the people who built it. 2. The decoration of the Book of Durrow displays evidence that it was influenced by the patterns motifs found on stone metal from the pre-christian period. Discuss this statement with reference to the illustration on the accompanying sheet, describe discuss one other page from any manuscript of your choice. 3
3. Name, describe discuss the three examples of 11th 12th century religious objects illustrated on the accompanying sheet. Make reference to form, materials, decoration the techniques used in their production explain compare the function of these objects. [Illustrated were the Domhnach Airgid book shrine, the Cross of Cong St. Patrick s Bell shrine] 2005 1. Name, describe discuss three gold objects from the Bronze Age in Irel, making specific reference to their function, form, the types of decoration used. Describe the techniques used in their production. 2. Describe discuss the main stages in the development of stone crosses in Irel during the Early Christian period. Name, discuss compare two stone crosses from the Early Christian period. 3. Answer (a) (b) (a) What influenced the development of metalwork in Irel during the Early Christian period? (b) Compare discuss the two examples illustrated on the accompanying sheet, making reference to function, materials, form, decoration the techniques used in their production. [Illustrated were the Ardagh Chalice the Derrynaflan Patten 2004 1 The Megalithic tombs in the Boyne Valley are evidence of a well organised society in Irel at the time they were constructed. Discuss this statement in relation to one tomb in particular, referring in your answer to its structure, decoration function. 2 La Tène culture influenced the art of metalwork stonework in Irel during the Iron Age. (a) Explain what you underst by the term La Tène. (b) Describe discuss one piece of metalwork one piece of stonework where this influence can be seen. 3 (a) Compare contrast, in as much detail as you can, the design decoration of the Lismore Crozier with that of the Crozier of the Abbots of Clonmacnoise. Both are illustrated on the accompanying sheet. 4
(b) Name describe one other example of religious metalwork from the same period. 4 There was significant development in the design, imagery, colour decoration of Irish illuminated manuscripts from the Cathach through to the Book of Kells. (a) Discuss this statement with reference to at least two manuscripts (b) Describe discuss one page from the Book of Kells. 2003 1. Describe discuss the prehistoric gold artefacts illustrated on the accompanying sheet in relation to form, function, decoration the metalworking techniques used to produce them: (a) gold bulla from The Bog of Allen, Co. Kildare (b) gold gorget from Borrisnoe, Co. Tipperary (c) gold dress fastener from Clones, Co. Monaghan. 2. In terms of size, proportion, decoration figurative content how does the North Cross of Ahenny, County Tipperary differ from the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise, County Offaly. Both crosses are illustrated on the accompanying sheet. 2002 1. The archaeological site at Newgrange may be understood both as art architecture. Discuss this statement, referring in your answer to structure, decoration function. 2. Describe discuss the Petrie Crown, illustrated on the accompanying sheet, referring in your answer to form, decoration, possible function the metalwork techniques used to produce it. 2001 1. Describe discuss the Bronze Age artefacts (c.100bc - 200AD), illustrated on the accompanying sheet, in relation to form, function, decoration the metalworking techniques used to produce them. (Castlederg Cauldron, Lough Gur Shield the Loughnashade Trumpet) 2. The coming of Christianity to Irel in the 5th century created a need for new types of artefacts buildings. Discuss this statement with reference to manuscripts, metalwork, stonecarving architecture. Refer in your answer to Christian re-usage of earlier pagan styles imagery. 5