Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Catalogue of Objects of Greek Ceramic Art: Exhibited in 1888
Viewed historically, the series begins with the class Of vases known as Corinthian, and dating from the eighth century b.c., if they are not Of even a higher antiquity. These vases may be recognized by the creamy ground on which the designs are painted, by clumsiness Of shape, and by a peculiar choice of subject which recalls the fantastic figures of Oriental Art.
The centre Of the composition is mostly occupied by a double or quadruple palmette (nos. I 3, 118, the meaning of which cannot be more precisely defined than that it is a sacred symbol. The palmette is accompanied by birds, wild beasts, or monsters. At one time we see eagles, cocks, or doves with female heads, which seem to watch the idol; at another lions, sphinxes, or gryphons.
The Sphinx and the female-headed bird have been borrowedfrom Egypt; the gryphons and the heraldic disposition Of the figures remind us Of Asia, whence the Corinthian painters must have Obtained their ideas. From Assyria was derived the conception Of grotesque divinities with wings at the waist (no. And the long pro: cessions of animals arranged in one, or more, friezes (nos. 97, 1 But beside these traits borrowed from Oriental Art, the germ Of Greek Art already exists.
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