DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0120
88 SCULPTURE IN WESTERN ASIA.
winged figure in horned cap holds two dangling deer, and has the same pose
that is given to a female figure, constantly recurring on very old Greek orna-
ments and vases, such as have been found especially in Rhodes. In many
cases these bits of Assyrian embroidery seem to open up a glimpse into the
passage of art-forms from the far-off Tigris valley to the Hellenic world.'2-!
These broidered borders on the figures from Nimroud, dating from about
885 B.C., are far richer than those discovered in later Assyrian ruins. In the
latter the love of elaborate and profuse decoration continues; but the interest-
ing combinations of man, beast, bird, and flower disappear, and are supplanted
by a profusion of rosettes, circles, and squares, covering the whole surface of
the dress, conjectured by Semper to imitate woven and no longer embroidered
materials.'25
If, to all this detail, we add the colors which once made these sculptures
brilliant, we can easily imagine the effect produced, like a vast tapestry lining
the apartments of the palace. The sandals were painted red or black ; the
hair, lips, eyes, and ornaments, and probably the borders also, received color;
but there is no sign that the whole surface was thus covered : and the mild,
natural tones of the alabaster, with the gentle shadows of the sculpture, must
have blended in a pleasing decorative effect.
But the artist has cut across the whole length of his highly finished work
the never-failing inscription, which, added to the character of the sculptures,
shows that decoration was secondary, and that his main object was the recount-
ing in pictures the greatness and glory of the monarch. Provided this chroni-
cle were clear, the artist does not seem to have cared to go farther, —granted
that he were capable of any thing higher.
Besides these chronicle and decorative sculptures, one small statue of the
king in silicious stone was found, which is now in the British Museum. This
form is worked out fully in the round, deep fringes and drapery encircling its
back ; and yet, when seen from the side, the flattened look of this figure leaves
the impression of nothing more than high relief, and fails to satisfy any of the
requirements of statuary proper.
Of no slight importance for the history of art are fragments of bronze from
Nimroud, some of which show that casting was known in ancient Assyria.
Such is a part of a leg and hoof cast around a kernel of iron, and now in the
British Museum. Bowls with most curious designs of a mixed Egyptian and
Assyrian character, and bronze weights in the form of crouching lions, bear-
ing Assyrian and Phoenician inscriptions, as well as ivory carvings, having an
Egyptian cast, were also found. All these latter have, however, a character so
foreign to the sculpture on the slabs, that their appearance in the heart of
Assyria has given rise to much conjecture; but, as it is now agreed that they
are imported Phoenician wares, their artistic character will be discussed when
treating of Phoenician art.
winged figure in horned cap holds two dangling deer, and has the same pose
that is given to a female figure, constantly recurring on very old Greek orna-
ments and vases, such as have been found especially in Rhodes. In many
cases these bits of Assyrian embroidery seem to open up a glimpse into the
passage of art-forms from the far-off Tigris valley to the Hellenic world.'2-!
These broidered borders on the figures from Nimroud, dating from about
885 B.C., are far richer than those discovered in later Assyrian ruins. In the
latter the love of elaborate and profuse decoration continues; but the interest-
ing combinations of man, beast, bird, and flower disappear, and are supplanted
by a profusion of rosettes, circles, and squares, covering the whole surface of
the dress, conjectured by Semper to imitate woven and no longer embroidered
materials.'25
If, to all this detail, we add the colors which once made these sculptures
brilliant, we can easily imagine the effect produced, like a vast tapestry lining
the apartments of the palace. The sandals were painted red or black ; the
hair, lips, eyes, and ornaments, and probably the borders also, received color;
but there is no sign that the whole surface was thus covered : and the mild,
natural tones of the alabaster, with the gentle shadows of the sculpture, must
have blended in a pleasing decorative effect.
But the artist has cut across the whole length of his highly finished work
the never-failing inscription, which, added to the character of the sculptures,
shows that decoration was secondary, and that his main object was the recount-
ing in pictures the greatness and glory of the monarch. Provided this chroni-
cle were clear, the artist does not seem to have cared to go farther, —granted
that he were capable of any thing higher.
Besides these chronicle and decorative sculptures, one small statue of the
king in silicious stone was found, which is now in the British Museum. This
form is worked out fully in the round, deep fringes and drapery encircling its
back ; and yet, when seen from the side, the flattened look of this figure leaves
the impression of nothing more than high relief, and fails to satisfy any of the
requirements of statuary proper.
Of no slight importance for the history of art are fragments of bronze from
Nimroud, some of which show that casting was known in ancient Assyria.
Such is a part of a leg and hoof cast around a kernel of iron, and now in the
British Museum. Bowls with most curious designs of a mixed Egyptian and
Assyrian character, and bronze weights in the form of crouching lions, bear-
ing Assyrian and Phoenician inscriptions, as well as ivory carvings, having an
Egyptian cast, were also found. All these latter have, however, a character so
foreign to the sculpture on the slabs, that their appearance in the heart of
Assyria has given rise to much conjecture; but, as it is now agreed that they
are imported Phoenician wares, their artistic character will be discussed when
treating of Phoenician art.