Greek Sculpture

September 17th, 2009 | Antique, Antiquities, Architectural Collectibles, Collectible, Daedalic period, Decorative Arts, Greece, Greek Sculpture, antiques, bronze, bronze sculptures, geometrical period, greek statues, ivory, ivory sculptures, statuary display, statues, terra cotta

Antiques -> Antiquities -> Greek

Greek sculptures are amazing works of art, almost all of which reside in museums or private collections. A collector would do well to find painstaking reproductions of famous sculptures, or art depicting them. The history of these art pieces is interesting, though, whether you’d like to own a reproduction, a new piece created in the Greek style, or whether you’re simply interested in developing a new appreciation for the sculptures of the masters.

The earliest of the Greek sculptures we know of today dates back to 900 BC, and unlike the white marble structures that most recognize, it was made from terra cotta. The sculpture, which was unearthed from two separate graves where pieces had been buried, is known as the Lefkandi Centaur, because it’s believed that it represents Chiron the centaur from mythology. This also makes it the first time Greek myth appeared in an art form, if the experts’ guesses are correct about what the sculpture represents.

The Geometrical period, which ranged from about 900 to 700 BC, saw most Greek sculptures done in either terra cotta, ivory or bronze. The bronze sculptures were usually left as offerings to the gods. Many sculptures were of horses or men, but a variety of animals were also represented.

The Daedalic period saw Eastern influence in the depiction of the flowing hair and wigs and very triangular jaws on figures. Then the Archaic period of Greek art and sculptures gave way for more rigid figures and more Egyptian influence, in art that usually depicted myths, or sometimes even just daily life. And the Classical period saw Greek sculptures become more realistic and lifelike. It was this period that produced some of the most amazing and beautiful sculptures in the world, and likely the ones that you can look at and instantly recognize as Greek. The first sculptors whose names are widely known today came from this period in Greek history.

It’s also interesting to note that when you see Greek sculptures, they’re typically all white. But archaeologists have discovered that most such sculptures were actually originally painted a variety of colors. By using very detailed testing, some have even been able to reproduce the paint and colorings used on Classical statues. The sculptures are white now merely because the paint has dried with age and fallen away, some experts say.

Greek sculptures are timelessly beautiful, and any home can benefit from this type of artwork. If you’re looking for a piece to use on a table as a centerpiece, or a frieze to adorn a wall, then choosing a sculpture that speaks to you or fits the atmosphere you want to convey is the most important thing.

If you want to collect Greek statuary to display as a group for its own sake, do some research into the sculptors and pieces that are most well-known. Online auctions like eBay are a great place to look for Greek art in general, as well as reproduction Greek sculptures or sculptures done in one of the different Greek styles.

Originally posted 2008-12-30 05:00:38. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Related Posts

Antique Lighting Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps Whether you are trying to restore an older home and would like to keep it in the period style, or you just appreciate older light fixtures, antique lighting has much to offer. There are many different styles from Victorian, to Art Deco to Modern......
Antique Chinese Parrot Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese If you are interested in a unique Asian collectible that is sure to get plenty of discussions going, antique Chinese parrots are an excellent choice. These delightful decorative collectibles come in many different shapes and styles and many are vibrantly colored and well designed. Most......
Mantle Clocks Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Clocks- Antique mantle clocks are a wonderful investment that not only beautify your home, but also provide you with a great conversation piece. Many antique mantle clocks are true works of art and with careful shopping, you may even end up with one that used......
French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples......
Chinese Chest Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese: Chests A Chinese chest can improve the look of any room, in addition to providing storage space and serving as a conversation piece, especially if it's an antique. A chest can function as more than just storage, it can be used as a coffee or......

Related Websites

Roman Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Coins: Ancient -> Roman: Republic When it comes to collecting coins or paper money, many prefer to go straight to roman coins. These are highly historic collectibles that may actually be worth a good deal of money and many are quite rare. When you consider......
Ten Tips for Easing Depression Depression can tax both on the mind and body. Constantly dark thoughts have driven people to despair or even suicide. Here are ten tips to ease and prevent depression....
Benefits of Collecting Old Stamps Collecting old stamps, especially vintage postage stamps can bring great value. Collecting old stamps can be fun and educational, it can be affordable, and it can bring about understanding of history, art, travel and many other areas of culture as well. Here is an explanation of why collecting old stamps......
Collecting Greek Coins There are three different points in time that Ancient Greek coins are divided into. The first period of time for the history of ancient Greek coins is known as the Archaic period. This particular period of time expands from when coinage first appeared in the Greek World in 600 BCE......