Decorative World Art
Works of Terracotta, Silver, Stone, Bronze from 750 AD
Art book 30,000 Years of Art, with large-scale photographs of world art organized chronologically, includes medieval decorative art from 8th century.
Colossal art book 30,000 Years of Art, produced by Phaidon Press who also published historian E.H. Gombrich's classic Story of Art, depicts a compelling global view of art by presenting artworks along a historical timeline rather than by discussing them by culture. Its large format and its unparalleled focus of a page to each artifact in stunningly-detailed photographs make it a valuable addition to any art-lover’s library.
What decorative art was being created in the world circa 750 AD?
1. Painted terracotta smiling celebrant, Nepali style, Mexico
The laughing figure has been interpreted to be either associated with a god of dance, music, and joy or to be an imbiber of octli, an intoxicating drink native to Mesoamerica. The figurine can be viewed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
2. Tara Brooch in silver, gilt, amber, polychrome enamel, glass, and pearls in Hiberno-Saxon Insular Style
The Tara Brooch, considered an important artifact of early Christian Irish art, is composed of silver gilt. The circle – 3.5 in [8.7 cm] in diameter – is embellished with intricate abstract decoration known as Irish interlace and inlaid with beads decorated with wolf heads and dragon faces. The piece was meant to be purely decorative, not functional, and was most likely made for a wealthy private patron in order to show off his status. It can be seen in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
3. Viking Tängelgarda Picture Stone, painted limestone, Sweden
This Viking rune stone, 7 ft (2.1 m) high, discovered on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, tells the story of Odin, the chief Viking god and also the god of battle, death and wisdom, seen here in procession on his horse Sleipnir. Viking artists are known for their woodcarvings and gold and silver ornaments done in an intricate interlacing style similar to that found in Celtic art. The stone can be seen in the Museum of National Antiquities, Stockholm.
4. Gilded Bronze Flying Dragon, Tang Dynasty, China
This exquisite work in gold and bronze was produced during the Tang dynasty (618-907), regarded by historians as a high point in Chinese civilization. The Tang capital, today known as Xi'an, was the most populous city in the world at the time. Stimulated by contact with India and the Middle East, the Tang empire experienced a flowering of creativity in many fields and is today known as a golden age of literature and art. Tang sculptors emphasized graceful lines and sharp, clear forms. The dragon is the most frequently portrayed creature in Chinese art and one of the twelve creatures of the zodiac. This striking piece, according to artnet.com excavated from a tomb in north China where it presumably was placed to ward off evil spirits, today resides in the Shaanxi History Museum, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.
Source: 30,000 Years of Art. London: Phaidon Press, 2007.
