Intriguing artifacts of the ancients

 

 

artifact-dates-to-3000-bc-jiroft-civilization-iran

Jiroft artifact, Persia, 3000 BC

 

Throughout the history of antiquity there have been numerous instances where art has interacted with ancient discoveries to forge new art trends and revitalize established arts. From the middle of the 8th century BC, the developing eastern trade connections led to an Orientalising of the Greek decoration of the ceramic arts with new subjects being introduced including palmettes, lions, panthers, rosettes, lotus flowers and the tree of life. Corinth developed its distinctive style with the appropriation of stylised plants and animals and curvaceous flora and fauna began replacing the geometric styles. Greek art had a pervasive influence in the Mediterranean, particularly in Rome where they adopted pillars and columns in their architecture and there was widespread use of marble statues and Greek pottery.

 

golden-boot-buckle--decorated-with-turquoise-and-carnelian A man rides under a parasol in a cart pulled by a pair of winged felines.

Boot buckle – gold, turquoise and carnelian – a man rides under a parasol in a cart pulled by a pair of winged felines.

Tillya Tepe in northern Afghanistan.

 

The only decorative art that the ordinary people were able to acquire was usually of the clay kind in the form of figurines and vases. Jewelry and fine art was usually beyond their reach, which explains the predominance of clay artifacts. The lifestyle pottery decorations acted as a crucial link to revealing their history, as written history was lacking.
Egyptian exploration spawned the geometrical features and motifs of the Art Deco designs as did the Aztec discoveries in South America. Colonization of Africa and the export of their artifacts stimulated Africanist trends in the European contemporary arts and influenced the development of Cubism at the beginning of the 20th century.The discovery of ancient artifacts in Arizona had a direct input into the styles of Mata Ortiz pottery and its renaissance.
Plenty of the ancient forms displayed esoteric symbols, shapes and geometric designs that were steeped in hidden knowledge and quite often only decipherable to the initiated. Many are still shrouded in mystery and are waiting to have their meaning unraveled, possibly by newer discoveries, which contributes to their appeal. The above Jiroft image of the person holding the two jaguars is a recurring theme from many ancient cultures, sometimes displaying other paired objects, for instance geese, snakes and lions. I’m yet to figure out the meaning behind this ubiquitous icon.
New technologies for deep surface scanning radars are revolutionizing the ability to locate and map archaeological sites. This has led to the discovery of more fascinating artifacts and many will still emerge from a diversity of archaeological digs in places like Iran, Cambodia, the Middle East and numerous other locations. The highly evolved aesthetics of some of the ancient artifacts reveal a gifted artisanship that is truly a wonder and shows that artistic endeavour and beauty really transcends time.

 

 

01-armadillo-670Lure-of-the-Lost-City---Mosquitia-Artifa

Armadillo – -Mosquitia, Honduras

 

 

 

Griffon wood carving Afghanistan--Forging-Civilizations-Along-the-Silk-Road

Carving of a female riding a griffon.

1st–2nd century A.D. – National Museum, Kabul

 

 

 

Figure-Pendant,-4th–8th-century-Costa-Rica;-Atlantic-Watershed-Pyrophyllite

Costa Rican figure pendant

4th-8th century, AD

 

 

Blue and white Fritware-jug---Iznik,-Turkey;-c

Iznik jug, Turkey

C.1540 – The David Collection

 

 

 

Apollo-carrying-his-kithara-holds-a-phiale-(flat-cup)-for-Nike-(Victory)-to-pour-a-libation-in

Apollo carrying his kithara holds a phiale (flat cup) for Nike (Victory) to pour a libation into, with an omphalos (sacred navel) in between.

Louvre

 

 

 

Seated-Scribe, sculpture - Egyptian-statue-1391-B.C

Egyptian Seated Scribe statue

1391 B.C

 

 

Side-of-the-Badminton-Sarcophagus-in-the-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art

Lenos shaped marble sarcophagus with Dionysus on a panther, also known as “Badminton sarcophagus” (right side: Oceanus). White marble. 260—270 CE

late 1st century CE  — Met NY

 

 

 

Silver-plate-(partially-gilded)-with-the-Sasanian-king-hunting-wild-boar.-4th-century-CE.-Hermitage-Museum

Partially gilded silver plate –  Sasanian king hunting wild boar

4th century CE. Hermitage Museum

 

 

 

Sir-Arthur-Evans-archaeologist-Knossos

Archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans who discovered the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the location he deducted from observing that the locals were wearing ancient stone seals as pendants.

 

 

Atlantis-Artifact

This artifact was found off the coast in Florida. Speculation of its origin ranges from Chinese to Spanish to Atlantean. To me the motif looks more South East Asian, maybe Thailand.

 

 

Babylonian-Kudurru,-land-grant,-16-17th-century-BC,-Mesopotamia

Sumerian Boundary stone – kudurru (1125-1100 BC). The cuneiform inscription records the granting by Eanna-shum-iddina, the governor of the Sealand, of five gur of corn land in the district of Edina in south Babylonia to a man called Gula-eresh.

 

 

Bell-'omo'-from-the-Yoruba-people-of-Nigeria

Bronze ‘omo’ bell

Yoruba, Nigeria

 

 

Jiroft-vase-artifact

Vase decorated with various creatures – Jiroft culture, Iran (appears to b a rumble in the jungle)

2000-3000 BC

In southeastern Iran, flash flooding caused a sudden change in the course of the Halil Roud River recently, revealing traces of a 5000 year-old civilization on the Iranian Plateau that had been hidden until then.

 

 

 

Cocle-pedestal-dish, Panama

Pedestal dish, Cocle, Panama

 

 

 

Coil-built-ancient-Cretan-storage-jars-with geometric decoration

Grain storage vessel, Crete

 

 

Cretan-style-fritware-decorated-rhyton--with a man fighting a bull motif

 Cretan rhyton with fritware decoration

 

 

 

Cybele--she's-holding-a-drum,-not-a-cake-like-some-archeologists-like-to-say

The goddess Cybele with framed drum

 

 

 

Lady-of-Elche-bronze-plate-find-in-Utah,-USA--

Lady of Elche medallion

 

 

 

A-CAMPANIAN-RED-FIGURED-BAIL-AMPHORA---WORKSHOP-OF-THE-CA-PAINTER,-CIRCA-340-330-B.C-Christies

Red figure bail amphora – Campanian

340-330 B.C

Christies

 

 

 

CYPRUS-HYBRIDS-480–ca.-310-B.C-2---ancientarchives

Sphinx statue – Cyprus

310 BC

 

 

Cyprus-Jug-750_600-BCFigurines-from-the-Bronze-Age,-1450-to-1200-BCE

Cyprus bird motif jug

1450 to 1200 BCE

 

 

Afghanistan--Forging-Civilizations-Along-the-Silk-Road--Dragon-Master pendant of gold, turquoise, pearl, lapi lazuli, garnet, carnelian

Dragon Master pendant, Afghanistan

1st century AD

 

 

 

Darius-the-Great,-King-of-Persia-(522-486-B.C) wall relief of Darius on his throne

Darius the Great, King of Persia

522-486 B.C

From inscriptions on the Cyrus Cylinder. “…I am Cyrus. King of the world. When I entered Babylon…I did not allow anyone to terrorize the land…I kept in view the needs of the people and all its sanctuaries to promote their well-being…I put an end to their misfortune.”

 

 

 

clay deity-south-pacific-coast-of-costa-rica

Costa Rican deity

 

 

Disk-from-an-Ivory-Panagiarion-with-the-Virgin-and-Child-in-the-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art--January-2011---Flickr---Photo-Sharing-

Disk from an Ivory Panagiarion – Virgin and Child

Met NY

 

 

 

Eternity_Cube_smallThe-Arcturus-Repository-is-an-artifact-of-unknown-origin,-discovered-during-archaeologist-Gaspar-Haneke's-search-for-the-lost-continent-of-Lemuria

The Arcturus Repository is an artifact of unknown origin, discovered during archaeologist Gaspar Haneke’s search for the lost continent of Lemuria.

Created in the shape of a cube, the artifact is riddled with as-of-yet undeciphered writings or symbols, winding a path along each of its sides.

 

 

 

Ethnic-Artifacts,-Headdress-Oro,-Efe-Headdresses,-Headdress-Ketu,-Joker-Headdress,

Yoruba Gelede (Efe) Mask, Nigeria

 

 

 

Etruscan-lekythos-,-c350BC with female head motif and bird

Etruscan lekythos

c350 BC

 

 

 

Ewer-12th-century-Artist-Unknown-(Persia-(Iran),-Asia)

Persian Ewer, Iran

12th-century

 

 

 

El-Gran-Sacrificiador abstract pattern panel - from-Argentina-atamcas-desert

Atacama Desert bronze plaque –  ‘El Gran Sacrificiador’

AD 900–1500 – Argentina

 

 

Garland-holder-with-a-winged-celestial,-mid-1st-century-A.D.-Pakistan,-ancient-region-of-Gandhara-Schist

Garland holder with a winged celestial animal – Pakistan, ancient region of Gandhara Schist.

Mid 1st century A.D.

 

 

gobekli-tepe-the-birdman

The Birdman

Artifact from an ancient (9000 BCE) amphitheater

Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

 

 

Iranian-goddess-Anahita-on-a-vessel,-AD-300-500,-Cleveland-Museum-of-Art

Iranian goddess Anahita on a vessel, AD 300-500

Cleveland Museum of Art

 

 

 

sculpted-basalt--Costa-Rica,-Circa-500-AD-to-1000-ADBasalt-Jaguar-Metate

 

Jaguar Metate basalt sculpture –  used for grinding seeds and kernels into flour

Costa Rica, Circa-500 AD to 1000 AD

 

 

 

Maske-'kpelié'-from-the-Senufo-people-of-Ivory-Coast

African Maske ‘kpelié’ from the Senufo people

 

 

 

NazcaSouth-coast,-PeruBeaker Molded in the Form of a Warrior Holding a Sling, 180 B.C.A.D500.The Art Institute of Chicago

Nazca Beaker Molded in the Form of a Warrior Holding a Sling,

 180 B.C. — A.D500, Peru

The Art Institute of Chicago

 

 

 

Parvati---Wikipedia,LACMA

Parvati – Hindu goddess of fertility, love and devotion

LACMA

 

 

 

Persepolis-Citadel---Lion-Attacking-Bull-Relief

 Wall relief Lion fighting a Bull

Persepolis Citadel

 

 

 

Blue and white ceramic 'Phoenix'-vase,Yuan-dynasty

‘Phoenix’ vase,  Yuan dynasty

 

 

 

Mexico,-Mesoamerica---Teotihuacan-culture-ceramic-bowl-with-three-feet---4th-5th-century

Tri footed incised ceramic bowl – Teotihuacan culture, Mexico

4th-5th century

 

 

Pyxis-with-a-lid-in-the-form-of-an-Oinochoe Dept-of-Greek,-Etruscan,-and-Roman-Antiquities-The-Origins-of-Greek-Art,-the-Bronze-Age,-and-the-Geometric-Style---MET

Geometric Style Pyxis with lid- Met, NY

 

 

 

Rattle-depicting-a-goddess,-600–800-AD

Mayan rattle depicting a goddess, 600–800 AD

 

 

 

Ritual-bowl-'agere-ifa'-from-the-Yoruba-people-of-Nigeria

Ritual bowl ‘agere ifa’ from the Yoruba people of Nigeria

 

 

 

South-Italian-Plate-in-the-Study-Collection-in-the-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art

Southern Italy ceramic tray

 

 

 

 

Standing Ruler - Guatemala,-Maya-culture-Late-Classic-period-(A.D.-600–900)-c Kimball Art Museum

Standing Ruler – Guatemala, Maya culture Late Classic period (A.D.600–900)

Kimbell Art Museum, Texas

 

 

.-This-codex-was-written-on-a-basalt-stele-standing-nearly-2-meters-tall,-top-by-a-relief-depicting-Hammurab

Hammurabi and Shamash

Hammurabi was the first king of the Babylonian Empire, but is best remembered for his 1760 BC creation of the first known written set of laws in history. This codex was written on a basalt stele standing nearly 2 meters tall, topped by a relief depicting Hammurabi raising his hand to his mouth in respect to the Babylonian God, who is likely to have been Marduk.

 

 

 

 

Sarcophagus-with-cover,-Etruscan,-Late-3rd-century-BC.-At-the-Boston-Museum-of-Fine-Art

Etruscan sarcophagus with cover

Late 3rd century BC

Boston Museum of Fine Art

 

 

 

The-Eastern-Mediterranean,-1000–1400-A Pyxis vessel with dome lid

Ceramic Islamic Pyxis vessel

Syria late 11th–early 12th century

 

 

 

Persian Bowl with a Rider on Horseback accompanied by a Hound and Two Birds-

Persian Mina’i ware; painted and gilded fritware on an opaque turquoise glaze

late 12th–early 13th century

Yale University Art Gallery

 

 

 

Vessel-on-pedestal-base-(pastiche)-1000-B.C.E.-200-C.E

Vessel on pedestal base – Ban Chiang culture, Thailand

1000 B.C.E.-200 C.E

 

 

 

Vinca_clay_figure_ Late Neolithic (4500-4000 BC)

Vinca  clay figure, Serbia

Late Neolithic (4500-4000 BC)

 

 

 

Vulcan-(Hephaestus),-Roman-relief-(marble),-from-Herculaneum,-c

Vulcan (Hephaestus)  – Roman marble relief from Herculaneum

 c. 1st century BC – 1st century AD, (Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

 

 

 

Islamic-Faience-Jug---12th-Century-AD---13th-Century-AD

Islamic turquoise faience jug

12th Century AD—13th Century AD

 

 

 

Xochipilli-was-the-god-of-art,-games,-beauty,-dance,-flowers,-and-song-in-Aztec-mythology-

‘Xochipilli’ – the god of art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, and song in Aztec mythology.

 

 

 

Zigurat-figure found-in-Aratta-Jiroft,-probably-to-be-identified-with-the-City-of-Aratta-known-from-Sumerian-texts

Goddess Inanna, Aratta Jiroft

 

 

Votive-figure-from-Altyn-Depe-(the-Golden-Hill),-Turkmenistan.

Votive clay figure from Altyn Depe (the Golden Hill), Turkmenistan.

 

 

 

early-13th-century-Syrian-ceramic-lustre-glaze-lantern with 4 blue pinarets

Early 13th century Syrian ceramic lustre glaze lantern with four minarets

 

 

 

Kuan-Yin-statue Nrt. Sun Dynasty China

Kuan Yin standing on a lotus – North Sung Dynasty

 

 

 

 

NEXT POST  —  Mix media ceramic – 2D and 3D

 

2 Comments

  1. Isa terre de reve
    Posted September 8, 2016 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    Do you know where is the lost continent lemuria ? Thanks. Isa

  2. Robbie I. Hood
    Posted September 8, 2016 at 11:24 pm | Permalink

    Lemuria is alleged to have existed in the Pacific Ocean and included Hawaii and Easter Island

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