Image Collection: Circular Designs

These circular (annular) tiles are based on a knotwork pattern originally from Lindisfarne Folio 11B, taken from [BainI] page 102. It is in two bands-if I'd have used an odd number of pattern repeats it would have ended up as one band. These tiles are rendered as colored "paint" on light parchment/vellum and in simple gray-scale shades. Some include the spiral pattern from the Aberlemno Stone (see Spiral Tile 1 for the original tile) in the middle of the annulus, and others use a triangular knotwork pattern from the Bore Stone of Gask (see Tile 4 below). Note that Tiles 1.b, f, and i use a slightly different spiral pattern (less "cycles" in each spiral) and add a keywork pattern (from the Rosemarkie Stone-see [BainG] page 78) modified to fit in the space "left over" by the annular knotwork.) You will see the full key pattern only when the design is tiled as a page/window background.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.    g.    h.    i.    j.    k.    l.   

These tiles are based on a pattern from the inside sections of the Hilton of Cadbol Stone (not the full design--see Tile 15 for the full version). I found the underlying pattern in [BainI] page 78. Most tiles are rendered in simple dark and light shades or in "carved stone", with the corner areas in tiles 2.a and2.b using a key pattern originally from Kells, taken from [BainG] page 78, plate 7. You only see the full key pattern when the tile is used as a background. Tiles 2.c-e, g, h, k, and l use a modified version of the template making a continuous line when tiled as a background. All but 2.f and 2.i (rendered as "gold wire") would be suitable for web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.    g.    h.    i.    j.    k.    l.    m.    n.   

These tiles are based on an annular (ring) pattern found originally on the Lastingham Cross. The underlying knotwork is from Romilly Allen's "Knot 4" pattern. The stone cross is shown on [BainI] page 11, while the pattern is analyzed on [BainI] page 77. Tile 3.a shows the basic pattern, while 3.b has been modified to make a continuous pattern when tiled as a page/window background.

a.    b.   

These tiles use a "circularization" of a triangular knotwork pattern originally from the Bore-Stone of Gask, analyzed in [BainG] page 41, Plate F.3. The original triangular knote can be seen on the Triangular Knotwork page. The concept of adapting a triangular knotwork template to a circle is from [BainI] page 92. The gray-scale tiles would be suitable for web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.   

The following panels are based on an adaptation of a triangular knotwork panel used on the Ulbster Stone and the Penmon Stone. I found the original in [BainG] page 47, Plate 5, and [BainI] page 88. The concept of "circularizing" a triangular knotwork template is from [BainI] page 92. It is also used as the basis for Circular Knotwork border 1 on this page. Tile 5.a is rendered as "embossed paper" while 5.b is rendered as "carved stone".

a.    b.   

The following panels are based on a circular adaptation of a triangular knotwork pattern found on the Ulbster Stone, pre-analyzed in [BainG] page 41 Plate F. The concept of "circularizing" a triangular knotwork template is from [BainI] page 92. Tile 6.a is based on the original right triangular pattern, while 6.b is based on the 60-degree adaptation used on Tile 10 on the Triangular Knotwork page.

a.    b.   

The following tiles are based on a circular adaptation of a triangular knotwork pattern originally from the St. Vigean's Stone, found pre-analyzed in [BainG] page 41 Plate F.7. The concept of "circularizing" a triangular knotwork template is from [BainI] page 92. The original triangular versions are found as Tile 3 on the Triangular Knotwork page. Tiles 7.a and 7.b use simple dark shades, while 7.c is rendered as "beaten gold".

a.    b.    c.   

The following tiles are based on a novel circular adaptation of a regular knotwork pattern sometimes known as the "Celtic Lover's Knot". The original knot can be found in these pages at: Knotwork Tile 13. The samples below include six versions of the pattern, rendered as "gold wire", one including central bands also in "gold wire", four (in shades of gray) modified to tile somewhat gracefully a continuous band, and two where I added a circular adaptation of a simple triangular knot (see Tile 5 above) and some simple keywork to balance it out when tiled across a screen. Also includes some variants that include a central spiral based on [BainG] Figure 85 and two with a different central knotwork pattern based on [BainG] Plate B. The grayscale tiles could make good web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.   d.    e.   f.   g.    h.   i.   j.   k.   l.   m.   n.  

The following tiles are based on a circular adaptation (with central bands) of a rectangular knotwork pattern found in a number of Celtic Insular sources, including The Book of Lindisfarne and St. Chad's Gospels. A clip art version of the basic knot can be found on the Knotwork Tile 25 page.

The samples below include three versions of the pattern, rendered in shades of gray (9.a, b, d, e) and as "gold wire" (9.c). 9.a-c include a small keywork filler so that they tile gracefully, while 9.d-e use a "space filling" structure.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.   

The following tiles are based on a roundel from The Book of Kells Folio 29r containing 6 zoomophic "snakes". I found it pre-analyzed in [BainG] Plate 6. The samples below include two versions of the pattern, rendered in shades of gray. All include a small keywork filler so that they tile gracefully.

a.    b.   

The following tiles are based on a roundel from The Book of Kells Folio 29r containing 3 zoomorphic "snakes". I found it pre-analyzed in [BainG] Plate 7. The samples below include five versions of the pattern, rendered in shades of gray. Three include a small keywork filler so that they tile gracefully.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.   

The following tiles are based on a roundel from The Book of Durrow Folio 129r for which I analyzed and developed the underlying pattern. The samples below include four versions of the pattern, rendered in shades of gray and "gold wire". They include a small keywork filler so that they tile gracefully. They also include two versions where the pattern tiles in a "close packed" form, with simple triangular knots to fill in the blank spaces.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.   

These tiles are based on a circular adaptation of the knot found on the Leek Stone. The original (rectangular) knot can be seen as Knotwork Tile 23. Tiles 8.a-b combine this circular knot with two bits of key-work: a circular adaptation of a very simple key pattern in the center, and another simple key pattern as fill-in at the corners. 18.c-d are similar, but use a simple three-way spiral pattern in the middle, while 18.e-f use a simple triangular knot to fill in the center.

These are all rendered in shades of gray, and could be used for web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.   

These tiles are based on a pattern from Kells folio 27V. The underlying pattern was taken from [BainG] page 80 plate 11. The pattern used on key tiles can be seen on the Keywork Designs page. Tiles 14.a-e are a novel adaptation of the Kells pattern to a circular form based on a concept from [BainG] page 81, Plate 13. The other tiles use the basic keywork pattern adapted to fill an annular shape with a simple spiral forming the middle. As always, the gray-scale versions are more suitable as backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.    g.    h.    i.   

These tiles are based on the full version of the design from the center of the Hilton of Cadbol Stone. A more compact version (not the full design) can be seen as Tile 2 above. Tiles 15.a-c use a simple keywork pattern to fill in the gaps between the roundels, while the rest use simple triangular knots and use a more compact space-filling repeat.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.    g.    h.   

The following tiles use a circular (annular) adaptation of a simple 4-band plait pattern (see the Basic Interlacing Construction section of the Knotwork Construction Class for further information), seen many places in Celtic art, including the Ardagh Broach, the Monymusk Reliquary, and Lindisfarne Folio 13. I found references to this pattern in [BainG] page 36, and [Meehan2] page 106. This is the simplest of what [Meehan2] refers to as "spiral knots". The underlying template for these looks like: . You can find regular knotwork borders and tiles using this pattern on the Knotwork Designs/Borders and Knotwork Designs/Tiles pages. Tiles 16.a-c repeats the pattern four times around, tiles 16.d-m use six pattern repeats, 16.n-o use seven repeats, and 16.p-q use twelve repeats.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.    g.    h.    i.    j.    k.    l.    m.    n.    o.    p.    q.   

Now for something completely different! These tiles were developed as part of some research I've been doing on the influence of Northern European/Insular Celtic art on Central Asian art. The original pattern was taken from what I've called the Hermitage Inkwell, a bronze inkwell, engraved, inlaid in silver and copper, made in the 2nd half of 1100s CE, from Northeastern Persia, currently located in the State Hermitage museum, Saint Petersburg (inv.IR.1533). I analyzed and developed the underlying knotwork pattern as part of of this research-the original artifact image was provided to me by the art historians of the Art and Science Endowment Trust (ASET) in Berlin, Germany.

The first two tiles show the basic pattern in a square grid, using simple keywork to fill in the gaps. The last three use a "space filling" tile, with the last two slightly modified to make continuous knotwork bands. These are all rendered in shades of gray, and could be used for web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.   

The following tiles use an annular adaptation of a keywork pattern found at the bottom of Lindifarne Folio 95r. The repeating, tiled version of the pattern can be found on the Keywork Designs page.

The first two tiles repeat the basic keywork "phrase" six times and use a circular knotwork pattern adapted from the Hilton of Cadbol Stone (see Tile 2 above), while 18.c-d use twelve repeats and use the full Cadbol pattern (see Tile 15) in the middle. These are all rendered in shades of gray, and could be used for web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.   

These tiles use a pattern taken from the Book of Kells, Folio 124r, adapted to fit an annular space. The regular tiled version can be found on the Knotwork Designs page. Tiles 19.a-d use six repeats of the basic underlying pattern, while 19.e-f use twelve repeats. All use various knotwork and spiral patterns to fill in the middle of the annulus. These are all rendered in shades of gray, and could be used for web page backgrounds.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.   

These tiles use a pattern taken from the Book of Durrow, on the "Eagle Evangelist" page, Folio 94R. It forms the border around the central eagle and has been adapted to fit an annular space. The regular tiled version can be found on the Knotwork Designs page. Tiles 20.a-c use twelve repeats of the basic underlying pattern. All use the simplified Cadbol Stone knotwork pattern (see Tile 2 above) to fill in the middle of the annulus. Tiles 20.a-b are rendered in shades of gray, and could be used for web page backgrounds. TIle 20.c uses an approximation of the original color scheme adapted to an annular area.

a.    b.    c.   

These tiles use a keywork pattern taken from the Book of Kells, Folio 124r, adapted to fit an annular space. They use a "space filling" repeat, and use the simplified Cadbol Stone knotwork pattern (see Tile 2 above) to fill in the middle of the annulus, and are both rendered in shades of gray.

a.    b.   

These tiles use a pattern originally found in Kells, Folio 114v adapted to an annular area, and repeated twelve times around (for the rectangular pattern, see the Knotwork Designs page). I found the underlying design in [BainI] page 108. The basic pattern looks like: . The tiles below use a "space filling" repeat, and use a spiral from the Aberlemno Stone to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.   

These tiles use a pattern originally found in a border from the Book of Kells Folio 29r. The basic pattern looks like: . These tiles use this pattern adapted to an annular area, and repeated twelve times around. The tiles below use a "space filling" repeat, and adapt a spiral pattern from the Aberlemno Stone to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.   

These tiles use a keywork pattern originally found in a roundel from the Book of Kells Folio 2v. The associated keywork tile can be found at Keywork Tile 12. These tiles use this pattern adapted to an annular area, and repeated twelve times around (24 times in Tile 24.a). The tiles below all use a "space filling" repeat structure, and adapt a spiral pattern from the Aberlemno Stone (except for 24.a, which uses the full Cadbol Stone pattern--see Tile 15 above) to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.   

These tiles use a knotwork pattern originally found often through the Book of Lindisfarne, on Folios 13B, 14, and 95 (at least). I found it analyzed in [BainG] page 40, Plate E upper left. The basic pattern looks like: ; tiles from this same design can be seen on the Knotwork Designs page. These circular tiles use this pattern adapted to an annular area, repeated six times around in Tiles 25.a-b, and eight times around in 25.c-d. The tiles below all use a "space filling" repeat structure, and adapt a spiral pattern from the Aberlemno Stone to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.    c.    d.   

These tiles are based on a key pattern originally on the Meigle Stone no. 20, Tayside. The pattern can be found pre-analyzed in [BainI2] page 17. Tiles from this same design can be seen on the Keywork Designs page. These circular tiles use this pattern adapted to an annular area (see [BainG] pg. 75 for an example of this technique), repeated 12 times around in Tiles 26.a-b, and 24 times around in 26.c-d. The tiles below all use a "space filling" repeat structure, and adapt a knotwork pattern from the Hilton of Cadbol Stone (see Tile 15 above) to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.    c.    d.   

These tiles were also developed as part of some research I've been doing on the influence of Northern European/Insular Celtic art on Central Asian art. The original pattern was taken from what I've called the Nishapur Conical Bowl, a pottery bowl from from Northeastern Iran, made around the 10th C. and currently in a private collection. I analyzed and developed the underlying knotwork pattern as part of of this research. The original artifact image was provided to me by the art historians of the Art and Science Endowment Trust (ASET) in Berlin, Germany. The tiles include a simple keywork pattern to fill in the gaps between the roundels.

a.    b.   

These tiles are based on a key pattern originally on the Nigg Stone. The pattern can be found pre-analyzed in [BainI2] page 21. Tiles from this same design can be seen on the Keywork Designs page. These circular tiles use this pattern in two different modes: Tiles 28.a-d use a style that Bain refers to as "chevron" style, while Tiles 28.e-f use the basic keywork. All have been adapted to fit in an annular area (see [BainG] pg. 75). The tiles below use another bit of keywork to fill in the spaces between the roundels (Tiles 28.a-b) or a "space filling" repeat structure (Tiles 28.c-f), and 28.c-f adapt a spiral pattern from the Aberlemno Stone to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.    c.    d.    e.    f.   

These tiles were developed using a key pattern found on the Rosemarkie Stone adapted to an annular area (see [BainG] pg. 75 for an example), and duplicated six times around. They use a "space filling" repeat structure and use the simplified Cadbol Stone pattern (see Tile 2 above) to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.   

Similar to Tile 29, these were developed using a key pattern found on the St. Andrews Stone adapted to an annular area (see [BainG] pg. 75 for an example), and duplicated twelve times around. They also use a "space filling" repeat structure and adapt the simplified Cadbol Stone pattern (see Tile 2 above) to fill in the middle of the annulus.

a.    b.   

These tiles are based on a triangular knotwork pattern originally on the Strathmartine Stone. I originally found it in [BainG] page 47 Plate 6. Tiles from this same source can be seen on the Triangular Knotwork Designs page. These circular tiles use this pattern adapted to fit in a roundel (this technique is found in [BainI] page 92). They use a "square" repeat structure with a simple key pattern used to fill in the spaces between the roundels.

a.    b.   

These circular tiles are based on a key pattern from the Dunfallandy Stone, Fife, adapted to fill a cicular area. It can be found pre-analyzed in [BainI2], page 7. Tiles from this same source can be seen on the Triangular Knotwork Designs page. They use a "space filling" repeat structure, and are rendered in simple gray-scale shades.

a.    b.