The Book of Kells: Selected Plates in Full Color (Paperback)

~ Blanche Cirker (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Painstakingly reproduced from a rare facsimile edition, this volume contains full-page decorations, portraits and illustrations, as well as a representative sampling of the textual leaves with their exquisite calligraphy and ornamentation. The 32 full-color illustrations include the first image of Virgin and Child in a Western manuscript and several early representations of Apocalyptic visionary symbols of the Evangelists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486243451
• ISBN-13: 978-0486243450
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #476,674 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the money but it could have been so much more, June 1, 2000

By	Mark Josef (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This book of color plates seems amazing, and almost is. However, the quality of the plates falls short of the mark. The colors are dull and faded, and the image resolution far lower than it should be. The Chi Rho page, probably the most beautiful page in the Book of Kells, shows almost none of the amazingly minute detail that it should. Other books--like the Thames & Hudson--show far more detail with more vivid colors than this. On the other hand, this book has larger pages than others, which is nice.

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars transcends time & religion, November 25, 1999

By	DJ Rix (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

32 full color plates from one of the world's greatest books. Although it is Christian art, the Kells reflects centuries of preChristian style & mystery in its bestiary of cats & dragons, its peacock feathers, poses & intertwining lines. There is something in this art that transcends time & religion. The price is a bargain.

Bob Rixon

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book of Kells, April 7, 2008

By	M. Marmol "Art teacher" (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book offers lots of visual examples of the topic. I was able to use it successfully in my classroom with my students.