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
41 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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clothings.An openwork cone shaped gold headdress (Plate 26) decorated
with volutes and floral designs (fourth century B.C.) was found from Ak-
Burun barrow, Crimea.鹿 It has an unusual form perhaps belonging to the
Sarmatian style. This openwork headdress has no analogies with the
exception of a helmet.
The Kul Oba (fourth century B.C.) pendants with relief Athena heads,
dangling chains, rosettes, and amphora shaped elements are beautiful
examples of Greek jewellery. They are made of gold with filigree,
granulation and enamel. 2 One of the temple pendant (Plate 27) has a disk
with a relief head of Athena in a helmet with three crests supported by a
sphinx and two winged horses and little griffins at its cheek pieces. There
is also an owl and a serpent. The whole disk seems to represent a myth.
Attached to the disk is a tracery of twisted chains bearing drop-shaped
ornaments decorated with filigree. Points of chain linking are decorated
with rosettes and plaques inlaid with coloured enamels. Around the disk is
an elegant ivy tendril pattern rendered in fine, notched filigree and blue
and green enamelled leaves. The border is framed by filigree and accented
with small florets. Appearing on the outer edge of this border are several
1 heart-shaped leaves accented with enamel inlay. It is interesting to note
鹿 Ibid.,Pl. 229.
虏 Ibid.,Pl. 134.
