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
17 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Scythian period, was found at Annovka on the left bank of the Ingulets
River in the Ukranian Steppe and it was dated in the late sixth century
B.C. It is of bronze,鹿 and the handle is in the form of a female caryatid and
this is similar to a bronze mirror handle in the form of a goddess with dogs
and lions on her shoulders from Kherson虏. Seven Brothers barrow, (mid
fifth century B.C.) yielded a mirror handle in the form of a youth caryatid
with rams on his shoulders. The technique is reminiscent of the Greek
style. Also of the early Scythian period is the mirror found at the necropolis
of Olbia (sixth century B.C.). "It is of bronze, with a handle terminating in a
ram head and joined to the disk by a recumbent stag鈥�.鲁
Cauldrons constitute an important Scythian utility object. They are
found in Scythian kurgans from the seventh century B.C. onwards.
Herodotus wrote about the well-known Scythian bronze or copper
cauldrons, which were sacrificial vessels as well as national insignia. A
cauldron with a caprid handle has been found from Kelermes (late seventh
or early sixth century B.C.).It is made of cast bronze and the only
ornamentation is a broad, raised zig-zag band below the lip. "A similar
cauldron was found from Kelermes, and it was decorated with large,
'E.H. Minns, op. cit., Fig. 281.
2 Ibid., Figs. 279-280.
3 Art. Scy.,p.186.
