St John's Cross Iona (and A Christmas Toast to Everyone)

This is a 7in (18cm) patinated bronze model of St John's Cross on the Isle of Iona. It's by Iain MacCormick, stamped IMC IONA.

The original C8th stone cross is over 17ft high (5.3m), and is now in the Infirmary Museum at the rear of Iona Abbey, while a fine replica stands outside the abbey near the main door.

Iona is one of the oldest and most important Christian religious centres in Western Europe and the abbey was a focal point for the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland until it was decimated by Viking raiders in the C9th.

The great Arts & Crafts artisans Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie created Celtic Revival items on Iona, including silver versions of the cross above, for over 40 years until their deaths in 1941.

Ian MacCormick (b. 1917) was an informal apprentice to the Ritchies, and was one of the talented craftspeople from the next generation who kept their Arts & Crafts tradition alive.

The picture of me wishing everyone on CW a Merry Christmas is titled "A Christmas Toast", by Maxfield Parrish.

Merry Christmas everyone, and have a Happy New Year!