Ancient Art

June Smith

American Intercontinental University

Unit 2 Individual Project

HUMA205-1301A-09 Art Appreciation

March 17, 2013

Ancient Art

Intoduction

In an effort to gain an understating on the following two pieces of art chosen we must gather a clear definition of Ancient Art. From early times to most recent times ancient art can be traced. After having a chance to view several pieces of art the were created between 30,000 bce through 500 ce. Two pieces that were of interest to me, Funerary relief bust (3rd century dated 231 C.E.) and Plaque depicting head of a crocodile, perhaps the god Sobek, (664-525 B.C.E. or later), both from the Smithsonian Institution Freer Gallery

Funerary relief bust

3rd century (dated 231 C.E.)

Limestone

H: 60.1 W: 55.3 D: 23.0 cm

Syria

Plaque depicting head of a crocodile, perhaps the god Sobek

664-525 B.C.E. or later

Saite Dynasty 26 or later

Limestone

H: 8.3 W: 12.5 D: 1.6 cm

Egypt

Each piece of art is a three dimensional in that it is in imagined form, they both depict an image of a ritual that was used in their time. The Bust is a representation of women who often wore jewelry and were fashionable. This was also a sign of wealth and was located in the opening of burial compartments in family tombs. The head of the crocodile was also used as samples for carving on tombs as well. Limestone is the material used in both of these pieces.

One of the oldest carving methods is stone carving and in this case Limestone was used and the finished instruments to hew the desired shape by using a sharp instruments. These were used to smooth the finish and create a smooth surface. Both of the pieces have a natural color taken from the limestone and over a period of aging the color may darken.

The total content of both pieces are a ritual piece. On Image #1, the message is a set ritual that was used and the inscription on the bust was that of a women named Haliphat and date her death...