Celtic Art Eras
Hallstatt - 700BC - mainly geometric designs.
La Tene - 450BC - floral and geometric designs,
often designed
using compasses and french curves. In this era we see a development of
wonderful swirling spirals, cleverly hidden faces and animals are often
disguised within the art. Art Nouveau takes a lot of it's design
elements from this era. Some examples would be the Holcomb Mirror,
Wandsworth Shield, and the Battersea Shield.
Early Christian - 400AD - The spiral is now
becoming more
uniform, animals and people begin to appear in more recognizable forms.
Near the end of this period (600 AD or so) we see an emergence of
knotwork interlace, which is to become a defining example of Celtic
artwork. Examples would be the Book of Durrow, and the finds at Sutton
Hoo.
Late Christian or Insular - 750AD-1000AD - What is
considered as
the height of Celtic art is reached in works of gold, silver and vellum
with jewelry such as the Tara Brooch and the Book of Kells manuscript.
Complex designs flourish with tiny interlaced animals mixed with
spirals and knotwork.
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