Oriental - Thai Bronzes

The Thais learned the art of bronze casting from the Indians. During the early centuries A.D., Indian culture totally dominated Thailand, and indeed most of South Asia, bringing with it Hindu and, later, Buddhist religion and art.

In Thailand, the Indian Buddha image was influenced by Khmer and Burmese art to emerge as a unique style in the Sukhotai period (13th to 15th centuries). Most of the Sukkhotai images are seated and almost always the right hand is in the bhumispara mudra ("Calling the Earth to Witness" gesture).

 Bronze Buddha

Sukhotai sculptors created a few reclining and standing Buddhas but their outstanding achievement was the Walking Buddha. This figure, with its very long arms and diaphanous robes, appears almost to float rather than walk.

Read the rest of this entry »

 
 
 

Oriental - Himalayan

Tibetan bronze Buddhist lama

The earliest known settlers in Nepal were the Newaris. who settled in the main Kathmandu valley. Their origins are not known but racially they show affinities to the Mongolians. In the third century AD, the Licchavis, a tribe from what is now the Bihar state in India conquered Nepal and introduced a strong Indian cultural influence.

In about 879 AD, a Newari king, Raghavadeva, came to power. The Newari rule lasted until 1324 when the Indians of the Malla dynasty, fleeing from Muslim invaders, overran Nepal. The Mall dynasty ruled until 1678 when it was overthrown by the Gurkha clans of Western Nepal. Descendants of these Gurkhas still rule Nepal.

  

Read the rest of this entry »

 
 
 

Metalware - Copper, Bronze & Brass

The working of copper began about 10,000 BC with the beating of small nuggets of copper, picked up from the ground, into use and decorative objects. Around 3,500 BC the process of producing copper from ores by smelting (initially in pottery kilns) was discovered and resulted in a great increase in the amount of copper available.

Copper is easy to hammer into shape but difficult to cast. As a result, it is most commonly used in sheet form with seamed joints where necessary. Because it is a excellent conductor of heat, the most common copper items were hearthware, such as kettles and wort pans (used for brewing).

 Chinese bronze mirror (2nd or 3rd century AD)

Read the rest of this entry »

 
 
 

Oriental - Islamic - Copper, Silver & Bronze

From 1037 to 1194, the Seljuks united Mesopotamia and most of Persia under their rule. During this period, the technique of decorating bronze vessels with inlaid silver or copper, or both, was developed in eastern Persia. From here the technique spread to Mosul (now Al Mawsil in northern Iraq) with which it became particularly associated. Syrian brass globe with silver inlay (about 1270)

Egyptian brass bowl with silver and gold inlay (15th century) In the thirteenth century, work of the Mosul type was done in Aleppo and Damascus in Syria. Ewers and other vessels were produced but the most common articles produced were broad based candlesticks for mosques. On the finest items, gold decoration was used rather copper.

From Syria, the technique spread to Egypt and, eventually, throughout Moslem North Africa.
 

Read the rest of this entry »

 
 
 

Oriental Antiiques - China - Bronzes

Zhou brinze vessel Although carvings in marble, bone and jade exist, the great art of the Shang dynasty (1523 to 1028 B.C.) was that of ritual bronze vessels. These were intended to hold wine, water, grain and meat to be used in sacrificial rites.

 

The vessels were decorated with stylised representations of animals, governed by rigid conventions. A common motif is an animal divided in half lengthwise with the two halves spread out on the vessel symmetrically. The two head parts meet in the centre, often to create a frontal animal mask.

The Chou, who overthrew the Shang, were a relatively primitive people. Their bronze ritual vessels were explosive and vital. Gradually, the vitality diminished. The animal forms became twisted and lost in patterns.

 Bronze vessel (ding)

Read the rest of this entry »