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
111 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
155
bracelets are rounded, while those of the eastern section are
characteristically bow-shaped.1
The ancient Near Eastern tradition of overlaying objects made from
baser materials with gold sheets or foil 2 was continued by Hellenistic gold
workers. The twisted rope bracelets from Bolshaya Bliznitsa and Kul Oba
are made from gold over bronze plaits.
A gold neck ornament (Plate 126)鲁 from the Siberian collection of
Peter I, dated in the fifth to fourth century B.C., is significantly different
from the neck ornaments of the western section. This ornament is made of
three smooth tubes and is divided by hinges into two unequal parts. This
division of a large front and a smaller back is a peculiarity of the eastern
section. The animal figures, attached to the upper tube, are hollow and
made from two halves soldered together and are similar to others both from
Siberia and from Central Asia. Between the tubes are two ornamental
strips with rhomboid and circular hollows (again a 艢aka/Scythian
characteristic) for turquoise and coral inlays.
1 Ibid., p.109.
2R.Higgins, op. cit., pp.33,34.
3 Gol.De.Eur., Pl.208.
