Celtic Revival Art

Art historians maintain that, as a whole, there has never been a coherent, continuous tradition of Irish visual art. The visual arts need leisure, stability, and most importantly money to survive, and centuries of invasions, foreign occupation, and economic difficulties robbed the Irish people of these necessities. Their great traditions of achievement have been in music and literature, both of which can be passed on orally even in times of change. Within the realm of visual art, their greater accomplishments are in the popular and applied arts. However, part of the aim of the Celtic Revival was to help change this.Hugh Lane founded the Modern art Gallery  which not only displayed Irish art which at the time was blooming but also art from European artists.The gallery played an important part in the revival of Irish art. Many important literary figures praise it which subsequently made it gain momentum. 

This is a modern day tattoo using Celtic symbols.

These are antique Celtic revival cuff-links, these were crafted in around 1900 and are made of 14 kt gold. These cuff-links where made by a jeweller based in New york City Called George Street and Sons.

This piece is a modern day copper jar, were the artist used Celtic designs in the piece.

Bibliography.

The Celtic Revival - The Celtic Revival. 2013. The Celtic Revival - The Celtic Revival. [ONLINE] Available at: https://sites.google.com/site/eholloway17/the-celtic-revival-1. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Revival Cufflinks - Bijoux Extraordinaire. 2013. Celtic Revival Cufflinks - Bijoux Extraordinaire. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.jewelryexpert.com/catalog/Celtic-Revival-Cufflinks-J8775.htm. [Accessed 19 May 2013]

Celtic Revival Jewelry, Wedding Rings, Celtic Irish Engagement Bands &Knot. 2013. Celtic Revival Jewelry, Wedding Rings, Celtic Irish Engagement Bands & Knot. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.celticrevival.com/. [Accessed 19 May 2013]

Celtic Revival

In past times the Irish were viewed to be no less than barbarians and were looked down by the English. Yet The Irish language, history, culture ,art , literature and traditions were deemed to be as every bit important as the English yet at the time the Irish were not aware for its importance. Individuals such as Willain Butler Yeats, Doglas Hyde and Lady Augsta Gregory were people who pushed for the preservation and awareness  of the Irish heritage. Dogas Hyde was responsible for founding Gaelic League which promoted the Irish language which grew exponentially over the year expanding  over to 900 branches with  100,000 members. Meanwhile Yeats and Gregory had founded the Irish national theatre  in Dublin where Irish plays were being shown. The Irish people's mindset started to realize of the history that it's country and people had. National pride was born which also led to  the Celtic revival .

In the 19th and 20th centuries a variety of movements started which began the revival of Celtic literature and art. These movements encouraged works with relation to the Irish culture which defined how different it was from the English culture. Whilst literature and music were able to prosper Evidence of historical Celtic art  was not consistent because of factors such as instability, lack of money, centuries of invasions which effected the development of Celtic art.

Photograph of delegates at the Celtic Congress 1904, Caernarfon. Back row: Maggie Jones (harpist of Arfon); Mrs Gruffydd Richards (chief harpist of Gwent), David Roberts (blind harpist of Mawddwy), Gwyneth Vaughan. Front row: Pedwr James, Emile Hamonic, Lena Botrel, Theodore Botrel, Professor Paul Barbier

Bibliography.

Celtic Revival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Celtic Revival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Revival. [Accessed 19 May 2013]

The Celtic Revival - The Celtic Revival. 2013. The Celtic Revival - The Celtic Revival. [ONLINE] Available at: https://sites.google.com/site/eholloway17/the-celtic-revival-1. [Accessed 19 May 2013]

Celtic Warrior Tattoos

Irish and Celtic warriors got tattooed powerful designs which showed as a symbol to their strength and bravery, the tattoos also showed the warriors alliance to a clan or warlord. The tattoos also where done to give respect to the one wearing the tattoos. For the Irish and Celtic warriors tattoos had to be done to show pride to their ancestry and heritage. The tattoos done where Celtic symbols and Neolithic petroglyphs where also commonly found as tattoos. On the faces they used to tattoo knot motifs, most commonly on the cheeks and forehead. The warriors got most of their tattoos in their prime, tattoos also include crosses and spirals, which were also done on the warriors faces and symbols like skulls or a special symbol which identify the warriors. Also tattoos having different rank significance where also tattooed on the warriors to show their status within the clan. With all the tattoos on the warriors faces and body the warriors intimidated there enemy's also the tattoos gave them a sense of belonging making them proud warriors in battles. The tattoos where proudly shown as they were done with great artistic skill, also they believed that the tattoos enhanced the warriors strength and courage as they were believed to be done on physical energy points on the body which are called meridians.  Different ruins like the one featuring a sword was commonly used these type of runes gave meaning of actions such as heroism. These types of tattoos are still used today and have been adopted by modern day tattoo artists, these tattoos are still quite popular today and the symbol of courage and strength is still associated with Celtic tattoos.

The Celtic people left no written evidence to how they tattooed themselves, but we can learn from  other writing from other people who met with the Celts. The Spanish Bishop of Seville wrote about the tattoos in Britannia, he wrote that the Picts tattooed themselves by pricking their skin and creating the design and then they would rub sap into them.

Bibliography

Ancient Celtic Tattooing - TattooSymbol.com. 2013. Ancient Celtic Tattooing - TattooSymbol.com. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.tattoosymbol.com/celtic/ancient_celtic.html. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Maui Celtic - Celtic Art, Celtic Art History, Celtic Tattoo History, Maui Celtic Art resource on Maui, Hawaii. 2013. Maui Celtic - Celtic Art, Celtic Art History, Celtic Tattoo History, Maui Celtic Art resource on Maui, Hawaii. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.mauiceltic.com/celtic-art.htm. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Symbols.

Celtic designs was made up of geometric designs and all had a meaning attached to the symbol. The oldest symbols date back to 3000 BC which where carved onto stone carvings. 

This is a Celtic cross which came in existence in the era of St Patrick , before St Patrick the Celtic people's believed in the Druid faith. Legend says that St Patrick drew a cross onto a symbolic Druid rock in order to convert them into Christianity. The circles which surround the cross mean eternal life and the sun.

This Celtic knot is called the Celtic heart knot and dates back to about the 5th century, this knot symbolises eternal love and an interconnection with nature. The monks where the first people to have documented the knot also there where description of the knot in the Book of Kells and in the Book of Durrows.

This knot is called a Celtic shield knot,  it is known to have four corners which are made up of squares but also can be a mixture of squares and circles. This type of Celtic knot is symbolic in a way that any one who wears it is said to be protected from danger and evil spirits. 

This is a Celtic Spiral, these types of knots have been around for a long time and where first used by the druids. Not a lot of information remains about these spirals as the druids did not write anything down about there faith.

This knot is called the Celtic Trinity Knot,  it is used to symbolize trinity and is one of the most simplest Celtic design. The Celts where a big believer that everything comes in three, for example the three natural elements water, fire and earth and the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In modern times it symbolizes eternal love an is often used in bridal wear.

This Celtic knot is called the Celtic Triquetra it has a triangular shape and it is never ending. This knot has more than one meaning for example in Christianity it symbolized the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but it is also seen as a form of protection in Wicca and also symbolises all three  aspects of there Goddess. 

This symbol is called the shamrock and it is one of Ireland most famous symbols.  There is more than one meaning behind this symbol, it is said that St Patrick picked up the shamrock to prove the existence of God, also the shamrock was used to ward of even and it was even used by mystics as when a storm would be approaching the petals would stand up.

This symbol is called the Celtic Triskele it is one of the oldest symbols and was first found in a temple in Ireland but it was also found in places such as Greek, Central America and Colombia. This symbol has three spirals which all come out from the centre, the meaning of this symbol is said to be the circle of life which is birth, death and re-birth.

Bibliography

The Symbolism of Celtic Design. 2013. The Symbolism of Celtic Design. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.celtarts.com/symbolism.htm. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Symbology - Ancient and Celtic Symbols. 2013. Symbology - Ancient and Celtic Symbols. [ONLINE] Available at:http://tttweb.hu/gyujtemenyek/cikkek/regi/Keltak/Celtic%20Symbols.htm. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

The Picts

Picts referred to the people who lived in Northern Scotland, in about fourth century AD. The Picts where mysterious people because they left no written records and all we know about them is from writers who recorded their own opinion of the Picts. The Picts where a descendent race from the iron age people of northern Scotland and where fierce warriors. The Picts art was of a very high quality and mainly done in stone sculptures and in metalwork. The Picts where highly influenced by insular styles. Picts stones have three classes into which they are categorised, class one stones are standing stones, the shape of the stone is left how it is and on the stone there are carvings of abstract designs, animals and normal objects. Symbols in the artwork is present for example a comb and a mirror would symbolize a woman.

These are some class one examples :

This stone is called the Brandsbutt stone which has V-rod, Z-rod and serpent symbols also it has engraved an ogham inscription.

This stone is called the Dunnichen Stone which was discovered in 1811 in Dunnichen hence the name.  It is engraved with three symbols which are a double disc and a Z-rod, a mirror and a comb and a Pictish flower which is quite rare.

Class two stones are slabs with crosses carved into the stone, these types of stones combine relief and carvings. The crosses are highly detailed with decoration in the Insular style, some examples of styles found on these crosses are scrollwork, interlace and key-patterns. The stone would have two faces and usually one face had a cross engraved and on the other side decoration of Pictish symbols would be carved, it was not common however stones with both faces with carvings of a cross where also found. The symbols which where scenes from the bible, battle and battles between man and beasts where carved on the back of the stone. These carvings could well be a part of Pictish mythology, here are some class two stone examples : 

This stone is called the Aberlemno 3 it is also called the Great Stone. The Celtic cross has two angles carved on each side were one is reading a book also there is a hunting symbol and double disc Pictish symbol. 

This stone is called The Aberlemno 2, it has a battle scene on the back face and people believe that it shows the Battle of Nechtansmere in 685 AD and the stone slab is produced about two centuries after the battle.  On the stone we can see helmeted soldiers who could be the Anglo Saxons who were defeated in that battle also there is a raven is carved which is eating a dead Anglo Saxon. 

Class 3 stones are still done in the Pictish style but done in cross slabs and recumbent stones, class 3 stones lack the characteristic symbols and date after the Scottish took over the Pictish in the middle of the 9th century. 

Some examples of class 3 Pictish stones :

This stone sculpture is called The Papil Stone it was found in the south of Papil hence the name.  On each side of the cross there are two monks which are holding a croziers and satchels.  Further down we see a Prictish lion and near the base you can see two bird men which are done in a different style from the rest of the sculpture. The Pictish lion can date back the stone to 8th Century AD .

This stone sculpture is called The Edderton Stone this sculpture is located in an old graveyard in the village of Edderton hence the name. The stone is made up of red sandstone  and has engraved on it on an elegant cross with a circle which means being left in relief. On the stone there are in total 3 riders.  

Bibliography.

Papil Pictish Stone Cross Slab Class III Pictish Cross Slab : The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map:. 2013. Papil Pictish Stone Cross Slab Class III Pictish Cross Slab : The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map:. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26810. [Accessed 18 May 2013]

Edderton Cross Slab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Edderton Cross Slab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edderton_Cross_Slab. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Pictish, Celtic and Viking stone art from Ancient Images. 2013. Pictish, Celtic and Viking stone art from Ancient Images. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.ancientstoneart.co.uk/. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Art in Medieval Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Art in Medieval Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_in_Medieval_Scotland. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Early Christian Celtic Art.

Early Christian art started about 400 AD, Celtic art became more uniform, human shapes more recognisable also knotwork interlace which begins to take form in the end of this period. Early Christian art started when St.Patrick arrived in the 5th century CE and conversion to Christianity took place, this made monasteries the centre of Celtic art. Christian art used traditional Celtic art and took inspirations from foreign art. The most common work being produced where stone crosses decorated with interlacing designs, chalices, reliquaries, shrines and illuminated manuscripts. The most famous art at that time where the illuminated manuscripts which had decorative borders with intricate lettering and complex geometric designs. Early Celtic art was shared by Anglo-Saxons and Celtic speaking people because of this scholars refer to this period as Insular which means island in Latin referring to the British Isles. This style is made up of patterns which fill up the whole space and have an abstract design or the portrayal of animals and people. In all there are four main types of patterns which are interlace patterns which are made up of ribbons which interweave into a complicated design. The second type of pattern is called the zoomorphic which is made up of animals and also ribbon patterns are interlaced into the art. The third patterns are spirals which are made up with a number of coiling lines which are connected with motifs. The fourth patterns are key patterns which are made up of lines which form square designs and look somewhat like square spirals. 

This is a page taken from the Book of Kells, which is an Irish manuscript containing the Four Gospels.  The book is still in a good state although some pages are missing. The book is still unfinished as some parts of the book have just an outline, also the book was done on a calfskin which would be prepared properly creating a smooth surface to write on. The book is a masterpiece some pages alone used 10 different colours and the amount of fine detailed was astonishing, some in which you need to look trough a magnifying glass to see properly, even then the art is perfect  and without mistakes. 

This Chalice is called the Ardagh chalice it was found by two man named Jimmy Quin and Paddy Flanagan who where growing potatoes  in 1868.  The chalice was later to sold to the Bishop of Limerick and then sold again to the Royal Irish Academy. The Ardagh chalice dates back to the 8th Century and is one of the finest works of art in metal. Found with the chalice was a wooden cross, a smaller bronze chalice and four ornate brooches.  The cross had an engraved date which are 727, this date 1727 was the time when Ireland was under Penal Law and the objects found could have been used to hold a secret mass. Another theory is that an enemy was approaching and the objects where buried to conceal them.

 Celtic Spiral Pattern.

Celtic  Zoomorphic Pattern.

Celtic Interlace Patterns.

Celtic Key Patterns.

Bibliography. 

Ardagh Chalice. 2013. Ardagh Chalice. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.celtic-weddingrings.com/ardagh-chalice.aspx. [Accessed 17 May 2013].

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Book of Kells. 2013. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Book of Kells. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08614b.htm. [Accessed 17 May 2013].

Celtic Designs and Symbols. 2013. Celtic Designs and Symbols. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.cauldronliving.com/deities-history/7257-celtic-designs-symbols.html. [Accessed 17 May 2013].

La Tène style

The La Tena was an era, in the time where the Celtic people expanded and migrated also it was a time where myths where forming. The La Tena era started at around C 500 BC and ended in C 15 BC. The La Tena culture gets its name from a site in Switzerland where many objects with this style of decorating where first found. The La Tene culture spread rapidly and invaded a wide range of countries. The La Tene culture had a more military mind set than the Hallstatt, their graves which where across Europe held weapons which included swords, spear heads and wooden shields also they included normal items such as jewellery and razors. The La Tene style was influenced by foreign cultures, it was a mesh of style inspired by motifs form Greeks, Scythian art and many more which were imported. The style in which is created is made up of curvilinear art, which has a lot of plants incorporated into the art such as vines, leafs and flower, also include stylized faces, even thou it was inspired by different countries La Tene style had a distinctive style. There art includes personal ornaments and possessions which display warfare, most of the high quality pieces we find today where found either in graves or in the ground. Rivers also held a vast quantity of Celtic remains which include weapons and artwork.  

This shield is The Witham Shield, it dates back to the iron age, 400-300 BC and was found in the river Witham in England, hence its name. This shield is incomplete as it is missing the wooden back which would be attached to the shield's decorative front. This shield is unique in a sense that as a form of decoration, the shield has pieces of red coral form the Mediterranean, this is quite rare as red glass is normally used on shields.

This shield is calles The Battersea Shield it dates back to 350-50 BC and was found in the Thames river in England. This shield was not made to be used in battle as the built of the shield was weak and to short to be used for protection. Instead this shield was used show and sacrifice. It was made up of polished bronze and red glass.

These are Basse Yutz Flagons which where found in France  in 1927 and they date back to about 450 BC. These Flagons are made out of bronze and copy the shape that was used in Italy  these flagons are used for pouring liquids during feasts. The Flagons also has precious coral inlaid inside which now faded to white but used to be red. 

This is River Thames spearhead which was found in the Thames River in England where the spearhead gets its name, it dates back to the iron age, 200-50 BC. This is a highly decorative piece made out of iron with bronze strips engraved into the spear head. The spearhead was made for ceremonial use and could not be used for battle or hunting.

This shield is called the Chertsey Shield it dates back to the iron age, 400-200 BC. It was found in Chertsey, England from which it gets it's name. This shield is made entirely out of bronze which is rare in the findings we found in Europe, as normally the shield is made by metal which is fitted onto wood. This shield is made out of nine different types of bronze and  has a oval shape which is the  common shape for a shield in that time. Thou this shield is well made and would have taken great skill and a long time to make, it was not used in battle as it would have broken easily, in stead it is most likely used for showing of

Bibliography. 

 British Museum - The Witham Shield . 2013. British Museum - The Witham Shield . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/t/the_witham_shield.aspx. [Accessed 13 May 2013].

British Museum - The Battersea Shield . 2013. British Museum - The Battersea Shield . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/t/the_battersea_shield.aspx. [Accessed 13 May 2013].

British Museum - Early Celtic or La Tène art . 2013. British Museum - Early Celtic or La Tène art . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/articles/e/early_celtic_or_la_t%C3%A8ne_art.aspx. [Accessed 13 May 2013].

 British Museum - Basse Yutz Flagons . 2013. British Museum - Basse Yutz Flagons . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/b/basse_yutz_flagons.aspx. [Accessed 13 May 2013].