Illuminated E Initial Tattoo with Celtic Design sgian dubh taken from the opening page

taken from the opening page folio 29r of the Saint Matthew's Gospel in the 9th century illuminated manuscript

a beautiful pattern by the Welsh artist Jen Delyth that has the potential to be a stunning backpiece

and also their unique identities

and the sage

resilience

Illuminated E Initial Tattoo with Celtic Design sgian dubh taken from the opening pageThe illuminated text pages in the Book of Kells (c. 800ce) frequently featured one magnificently complex letter beginning a Bible passage. This is the letter E at the start of folio 183r. It features the head of a lion and three snakes, as well as a full body of a lioness, Celtic knot work, and Pictish key patterns. A very ambitious tattoo.