The Third Hour - Folio 183r

Drawn from the Book of Kells’ interpretation of Mark 15:25, this luminous angel adorns the sacred words:

“Now it was the third hour…”

In Roman timekeeping, the “third hour” marked approximately nine in the morning — the solemn hour associated with the Crucifixion of Christ.

Surrounded by intricate ornamental lettering and radiant color, the angel becomes both witness and messenger, illuminating the sacred text with the visual splendor characteristic of the Book of Kells.

Hand-painted in enamel on traditional Palestinian hand-blown glass from Bethlehem, this ornament unites Celtic illumination with ancient Middle Eastern glassmaking traditions.