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This carved stone is part of a decorated,
8th-century cross showing one of the earliest
crucifixion scenes in Anglo-Saxon sculpture.
The vine motif comes from John's Gospel in
The Bible, where Jesus speaks of being the vine
and his disciples the branches.
In the grounds of the Spital (St Giles' Hospital) near Hexham, in 1861 [see photos for postcards showing it at the Spital in two different orientations]; may previously have come from Warden.
Gift of Saxon Cross shaft from the Spital by Capt. Giles Bates [Hex.Par.Mag. May 1951 p12]
“We have recently acquired a beautiful piece of a Saxon Cross, circa 740, supposed to be a part of the Cross set up at the foot of St Acca's grave. It stands at the south-east corner of the Nave. It was returned by courtesy of Capt. Giles Bates of The Spital, Hexham.” [Hexham Abbey Short Guide (Illustrated) by W T Taylor]
Pre-October 2014 in south transept 1st (north) bay to south of “Acca” cross in wooden support HEXAB334
1996: “The Saxon Chalice, Spital cross-shaft, and two imposts were lent for an exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery.” [Churchwardens Record HEXAB9535 p75]
2000: “The Spital Cross Shaft has been loaned between June and December to Brescia Museum, Italy, for their Millennium exhibition.” [Churchwardens Record HEXAB9535 p83]
“The portion of a cross shaft of the same period [as Acca's cross] preserved at the Spital near Hexham, which is on the site of the hospital of St Giles, and now the property of Mr James J Kirsopp JP, is the finest specimen of the work of St Wilfrid's school of artificers next to Acca's great cross, and in size, beauty and importance must have rivalled the great crosses of Bewcastle, Ruthwell, Gosforth and Sandbach.” [Hodges & Gibson 1919 p.74]
In 1974 or 1975 was photographed for CASSS [see link] while in the north chancel aisle, together with part of the old 1908 organ.
2012: “currently located besides Acca's Cross in the South Transept, this will be properly exhibited to allow visibility of all four sides of its carvings. This shaft, with its crucifixion scene and panels of vine scroll, belongs to the eighth century and is the earliest surviving example in England of a crucifixion scene on a stone cross-shaft. [Hexham Abbey collection faculty document.pdf, §2]
2000, 8 Feb. To send the Spital cross-shaft, of which details annexed to the petition, on loan to Italy, The Director of Civic Museums in Brescia, for an exhibition June to December 2000. Faculty reg. no.5. Faculty no.5192.