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
54 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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98
gorytus cover with scenes of a battle was found from Karagodeuashkh (late
fourth century B.C.).1 It is made of silver-gilt, and has borders of
conventionalized lotus buds, stylized lotus petal pattern, and triple twisted
rope pattern. The figural style is similar to that of the Chertomlyk gorytus.
A scabbard casing, with procession of fantastic animals on the shaft,
winged genii on the top, and recumbent deer on the hanging plates,虏 was
found at Kelermes 1, Kuban, late seventh or early sixth century B.C. A
similar type was also found at Litoy kurgan of the same date. It was made
of gold over perhaps a wood and leather frame. It shows a refined technique
of ornamentation with winged genii. The fantastic animals on the gold
scabbard casings suggest a general Near Eastern iconographic tradition. In
reconstructions of warriors in regalia, the sword in the Saka/Scythian
repertoire hangs on the right front of the man's belt and falls to the front or
right. Such an arrangement for short swords is supported by carved images
of Sakas and Persians on the Persepolis Apadana.鲁 An axe overlay (Plates
53 and 54) with stacked images of fantastic animals, goats, boar and deer
was found at Kelermes 1.4 It used gold over an iron core. The beasts appear
to be imaginative variations on the theme of the recumbent animal. A
1 E.H.Minns, op. cit., Figs. 124,125.
2 Scy.Art., Pls.32-35.
3 Art. Scy., p.233.
4 Scy.Art., Pls.37-40.
