DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0184
J5:
EARLIEST ART ON GREEK SOIL.
blance to the painted ceiling of an Egyptian tomb of the Eighteenth Dynasty
at Thebes (Fig. 79). What may have been the influences at work which brought
these designs employed in Egypt over into the very heart of Greece ? Did the
ancient carver have before him a piece of foreign tapestry, or other reminis-
cence ? or did he work with a mind full of memories of the Nile-land ? The
fact that this design was found in Bceotia, which, according to tradition, was
early visited by Phoenicians, warrants us in tracing their mediating influence
in these most intensely interesting decorations.
We have, then, it would seem, three well-marked classes of objects from
this very ancient time,—the Pelasgic, represented by the gems, and technique
of carving out, as well as by angular and geometrical lines ; the Phrygian, by
the system of decoration dependent upon the nature of metal, freehand also in
its execution, and luxurious in its line ; and the Oriental, mechanical in its
execution, and conventional in its types. But there are, besides, many objects
Fig. 76. Oriental Goddess in Pressed Gold.
Discovered at Mykene. Athens.
Fig. 77- Slab of Carved Ivory found at 8pattL
Athens.
where these different streams meet; and on many of the more advanced
objects, preserved to us from this very early age, these different elements have
become so organically united, as to form a perfect and agreeable whole.
Certainly that peculiar civilization must have attained a high stage of devel-
opment which could produce such sword-blades as that now in Copenhagen,
found on Thera,20? and the eight other blades, its companions, from the primi-
tive tombs of the Mykene acropolis, and now among the choicest treasures of
the Polytechnicon at Athens. Long after their discovery, a thick coating of ox-
ide was removed, revealing exquisite work and pleasing devices, which at once
raise our admiration to the point of enthusiasm. These eight blades, accord-
ing to Kohler's examination, vary in the manner of their execution ; but one
of their common peculiarities consists in the production of most pleasing
effects by the use of gold of divers colors. Sometimes they are a single
piece of bronze, with slightly raised decoration : sometimes the blade has thin
plates of gold inlaid on its sides, not over a millimeter thick, in which graceful
spiral ornamentation is engraved, like that of the Phrygian style. Others have
EARLIEST ART ON GREEK SOIL.
blance to the painted ceiling of an Egyptian tomb of the Eighteenth Dynasty
at Thebes (Fig. 79). What may have been the influences at work which brought
these designs employed in Egypt over into the very heart of Greece ? Did the
ancient carver have before him a piece of foreign tapestry, or other reminis-
cence ? or did he work with a mind full of memories of the Nile-land ? The
fact that this design was found in Bceotia, which, according to tradition, was
early visited by Phoenicians, warrants us in tracing their mediating influence
in these most intensely interesting decorations.
We have, then, it would seem, three well-marked classes of objects from
this very ancient time,—the Pelasgic, represented by the gems, and technique
of carving out, as well as by angular and geometrical lines ; the Phrygian, by
the system of decoration dependent upon the nature of metal, freehand also in
its execution, and luxurious in its line ; and the Oriental, mechanical in its
execution, and conventional in its types. But there are, besides, many objects
Fig. 76. Oriental Goddess in Pressed Gold.
Discovered at Mykene. Athens.
Fig. 77- Slab of Carved Ivory found at 8pattL
Athens.
where these different streams meet; and on many of the more advanced
objects, preserved to us from this very early age, these different elements have
become so organically united, as to form a perfect and agreeable whole.
Certainly that peculiar civilization must have attained a high stage of devel-
opment which could produce such sword-blades as that now in Copenhagen,
found on Thera,20? and the eight other blades, its companions, from the primi-
tive tombs of the Mykene acropolis, and now among the choicest treasures of
the Polytechnicon at Athens. Long after their discovery, a thick coating of ox-
ide was removed, revealing exquisite work and pleasing devices, which at once
raise our admiration to the point of enthusiasm. These eight blades, accord-
ing to Kohler's examination, vary in the manner of their execution ; but one
of their common peculiarities consists in the production of most pleasing
effects by the use of gold of divers colors. Sometimes they are a single
piece of bronze, with slightly raised decoration : sometimes the blade has thin
plates of gold inlaid on its sides, not over a millimeter thick, in which graceful
spiral ornamentation is engraved, like that of the Phrygian style. Others have