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 5 - Scythian (Saka) elements in the Early Art of India
7 (of 43)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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grooves furring out from the central circlet. The massive gold phial from Gonio
is similar to silver bowls widespread in Georgia in the first century A.D. A gold
pyxis from burial 3, Tillya-tepe, has similar parallels in the later 艢aka
complexes. The gold pyxis鹿 consists of three segments, having a bottom, a
cylindrical body and a lid with a handle. The whole cast body is embellished
along the waist with a horizontal band of laurels, each of which is bounded at
the base by a curved thong. The separately cast bottom has been soldered on
to the body. The lid is embellished with the same ornamental design as the
body of the vessel. The protruding handle is topped by a finial or pommel
whose shape is reminiscent of a pomegranate. It carries an embossed
ornamental design along the rim. The round loop, one of which is soldered on
to the lid and the other on to the body, are linked by a braided gold chain. The
abundant use of loops soldered on to various artifacts is a characteristic
feature of Tillya-tepe art. From Burial 3 has also been found a gold bowl, cast
of a thin sheet and subsequently embossed. The bottom of the bowl is strongly
concave. 2 The techniques of soldering, casting of thin sheets of metal and
embossing were in use from the early Scythian period. Another interesting
1980, pp. 35,59.
M.Treister, New Discoveries of Sarmatian Complexes of the 1st Century A.D.', Anc.
Civ. Scy. Sib., Vol. 4, p. 41.
Bac. Gol., pp. 238-239, Fig.22.
