DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0181
DESIGNS FROM WORKING IN METAL.
149
most interesting art. The general term Pelasgian, by which is understood
the earliest dwellers in Greece and the islands, who were, doubtless, of Aryan
stock, may, perhaps, best be assumed to designate them ; but it is to be hoped,
that further investigation on this line may throw new light upon this prob-
lematical theme.
But besides this lively naturalistic art, expressing itself originally by
crudely graving out its subjects on humble stones, and which for convenience
may be termed Pelasgic, there appear, among the treasures preserved to us,
other streams, with which it came in contact and intermingled. One of these
Fig. 74. Vase of the Dipylon Class. Taking the Body to the Burial, Mourning, and Procession of Chariots, repre-
sented in the Geometrical Style. Athens.
manifests itself in its peculiar and ruling ornamental tendency. Curving
spirals and countless disks are the main element, indicating an origin in work-
ing in metal. A very large part of the Mykene treasure, with its spirals and
winding lines, calls forcibly to mind the imitation of applied wire ; while the
small round disks, and puffed-out, oval-shaped ornaments, closely resemble
shapes which would naturally be beaten out in malleable metal with the
hammer. There are, besides, a few designs which seem influenced by cut-
ting in wood, braided work, and woven stuffs. One great peculiarity of this
whole family of decoration is, that the forms are not reproduced mechanically
from dead moulds, but depend upon freehand drawing and carving, as is also
the case with the " island gems." The technique of this art, and its combi-
nations of luxurious winding lines, are probably traceable for their origin to
Asia Minor, that land so rich in metals, and settled by peoples belonging to the
149
most interesting art. The general term Pelasgian, by which is understood
the earliest dwellers in Greece and the islands, who were, doubtless, of Aryan
stock, may, perhaps, best be assumed to designate them ; but it is to be hoped,
that further investigation on this line may throw new light upon this prob-
lematical theme.
But besides this lively naturalistic art, expressing itself originally by
crudely graving out its subjects on humble stones, and which for convenience
may be termed Pelasgic, there appear, among the treasures preserved to us,
other streams, with which it came in contact and intermingled. One of these
Fig. 74. Vase of the Dipylon Class. Taking the Body to the Burial, Mourning, and Procession of Chariots, repre-
sented in the Geometrical Style. Athens.
manifests itself in its peculiar and ruling ornamental tendency. Curving
spirals and countless disks are the main element, indicating an origin in work-
ing in metal. A very large part of the Mykene treasure, with its spirals and
winding lines, calls forcibly to mind the imitation of applied wire ; while the
small round disks, and puffed-out, oval-shaped ornaments, closely resemble
shapes which would naturally be beaten out in malleable metal with the
hammer. There are, besides, a few designs which seem influenced by cut-
ting in wood, braided work, and woven stuffs. One great peculiarity of this
whole family of decoration is, that the forms are not reproduced mechanically
from dead moulds, but depend upon freehand drawing and carving, as is also
the case with the " island gems." The technique of this art, and its combi-
nations of luxurious winding lines, are probably traceable for their origin to
Asia Minor, that land so rich in metals, and settled by peoples belonging to the