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
37 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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81
Nymphaeum 17 has yielded a necklace with twelve links of framed
rosettes, dangling buds and palmette terminals.鹿 It is made of gold with
notched wire and enamel. This necklace was found on the chest of a
warrior (as evident from the kurgan). This delicate piece of jewellery offers
an early dating for the appearance of enamel work in Scythian materials. It
reflects the manner in which imported or purely Greek jewellery might be
reused within a Scythian context.
At Kelermes 3 dated in the seventh or early sixth century B.C. has
been found a diadem, with a griffin-headed protome, pendants and
rosettes. It is made of gold with filigree and enamel.2 The diadem is made
of a stiff band of gold, to which are attached flowers worked separately in a
die, and a centrally located griffin protome. The cells for its eyes (griffin)
and the cells covering its neck are defined by raised and ridged borders.
The collar is edged with filigree. Pendants in the form of small buds hang
from loops in the lower edge of the band. From each end of the diadem
band (worn so that the ends would be at the back of the wearer's head)
dangles a gold chain terminating in rams' heads. The Kelermes griffin
diadem bears striking similarities to diadems from ancient Egypt, dating to
'Ibid., p. 129.
2 Scy. Art, Pls. 45, 46.
