Essay name: Scythian Elements in early Indian Art
Author:
Swati Ray
Affiliation: University of Calcutta / Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture
This essay studies Scythian Elements in early Indian Art鈥攁 topic that has not garnered extensive scholarly attention. Although much research has focused on various aspects of Saka/Scythian culture, such as politics and numismatics, their contribution to Indian art remains underexplored. This essay delves into archaeological evidence, historical texts, and art forms from Eurasian steppes to decipher the Scythian impact.
Chapter 4 - Scythian / Saka Art
108 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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produced works that show traces of Greek realism, on the other hand, the
art of the Siberian area passed from rigid forms, in which the volumetric
structure is dominant, to others, rendered in almost geometric schemes
i.e., animals twisted into the shape of a circle with legs forming an
openwork circle or contorted in a horizontal S (some of which are of
nomadic origin and others, Chinese).
From stereometric forms they passed to linear stylizations, often in
openwork, with colour values attained through the application of enamels,
precious stones, and glass paste. Notwithstanding the stylization, the form
of the animal was never completely obscured, and the nomads rejected the
indistinct and monstrous zoomorphic forms. "Although the clothing
plaques found in Scythian burials tend to be representational, one does
find examples of more geometric renderings".1 Clothing plaques from the
eastern section have a much more detailed geometrical rendering as at
Issyk.
In case of ornaments, the eastern section examples are more simple
in technique. Precious-metal techniques had originated in the east, but on
the ornaments of the western section, the surfaces of particular examples
Art.Scy. p.165.
