LaurieAnnie's photos with the keyword: griffin

Title: Fragmentary Mosaic of a Griffin with Spoked Wheel (Nemesis) Artist/Maker: Unknown Culture: Roman Place: Syria (Place Created) Date: 5th–6th century Medium: Marble tesserae Object Number: 71.AH.113 Dimensions: 128 × 137.5 × 6.7 cm (50 3/8 × 54 1/8 × 2 5/8 in.) Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/6578/unknown-maker-fragmentary-mosaic-of-a-griffin-with-spoked-wheel-nemesis-roman-5th-6th-century

Title: Fragmentary Mosaic of a Griffin with Spoked Wheel (Nemesis) Artist/Maker: Unknown Culture: Roman Place: Syria (Place Created) Date: 5th–6th century Medium: Marble tesserae Object Number: 71.AH.113 Dimensions: 128 × 137.5 × 6.7 cm (50 3/8 × 54 1/8 × 2 5/8 in.) Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/6578/unknown-maker-fragmentary-mosaic-of-a-griffin-with-spoked-wheel-nemesis-roman-5th-6th-century

Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin late 7th–early 8th century Object Details Title: Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin Date: late 7th–early 8th century Geography: Attributed to probably Western Iran Medium: Bronze; cast around a ceramic core and chased Dimensions: Gr. H. (base on top of iron rod) = 22 7/16 in. (57.0 cm) Gr. W. (at top) = 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm) Gr. Diam. (beak to back of strut) = 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm) Classification: Metal Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1971 Accession Number: 1971.143 This throne leg in the shape of a hybrid creature continues a long history of fantastic animal forms in Iranian art. The vegetal decoration found on its chest is an innovation in the transitional period of early Islam. Related to sixth- and seventh‑century Central Asian wall paintings depicting enthroned figures, this decoration may have been introduced to Iran during the last century of the Sasanian period, when contacts with Soghdian Central Asia increased. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/452270

Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin late 7th–early 8th century Object Details Title: Throne Leg in the Shape of a Griffin Date: late 7th–early 8th century Geography: Attributed to probably Western Iran Medium: Bronze; cast around a ceramic core and chased Dimensions: Gr. H. (base on top of iron rod) = 22 7/16 in. (57.0 cm) Gr. W. (at top) = 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm) Gr. Diam. (beak to back of strut) = 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm) Classification: Metal Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1971 Accession Number: 1971.143 This throne leg in the shape of a hybrid creature continues a long history of fantastic animal forms in Iranian art. The vegetal decoration found on its chest is an innovation in the transitional period of early Islam. Related to sixth- and seventh‑century Central Asian wall paintings depicting enthroned figures, this decoration may have been introduced to Iran during the last century of the Sasanian period, when contacts with Soghdian Central Asia increased. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/452270

Aquamanile in the Form of a Griffin, ca. 1425–50 German (Nuremberg) Copper alloy 12 9/16 x 4 11/16 (chest), 6 3/4 (claws) x 6 1/2 (wings) x 11 5/8 (with spout 12 11/16) in. (31.9 x 11.9 [chest], 17.2 [claws], 16.5 [wings] x 29.5 [with spout 32.3] cm) Robert Lehman Collection, 1975 (1975.1.1413) This magnificent aquamanile in the form of a griffin with (separately cast) outstretched wings can be grouped stylistically with the unicorn (64.101.1493) and a few other examples that were probably produced by the same Nuremberg workshop in the second quarter of the fifteenth century. The aquamanile was filled through a hole between the ears, and water was poured from the spigot in the chest, likely a rare surviving original element. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.1.1413

Marble Panel with a Griffin Byzantine, possibly from Greece or the Balkans Carved 1250-1300 Accession # 2000.81 In the ancient world, the mythical beasts called griffins were symbols of royalty and protectors of the dead. They continued to play these roles for Christians. A legend popular in the Byzantine era told of griffins carrying Alexander the Great through the heavens so he could view his vast realm. Carved griffins like this one are found on later Byzantine tombs, where they may have been placed to identify the dead as of royal status and to afford them protection. The design of the relief is similar to patterns on Byzantine and Islamic silks. Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.

Title: Belt Buckle with a Griffin Date: second half 6th century Geography: Made in Burgundy Culture: Frankish Medium: Copper alloy, "tinned" surface Dimensions: Overall: 1 3/4 x 3 15/16 x 9/16 in. (4.4 x 10 x 1.4 cm) Classification: Metalwork-Bronze Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 Accession Number: 17.191.226 Description: Belts were important features of early medieval dress. Not only did they serve the practical function of holding weapons and tools, but their fittings, which could vary in terms of material, decoration, and size, were also highly visible indicators of rank and status. Iron buckles, many imposing in size, were worn by both men and women. Their intricate decoration was achieved by squeezing narrow twisted strips of silver into patterns engraved on the surface of the prefabricated iron pieces. A complete belt would have consisted of a buckle, a counter plate that was placed opposite the buckle, and sometimes a rectangular plate placed in the middle of the belt at the back for decoration. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/mediev...

Dragonesque Brooch, 1st century Provincial Roman, probably made in Britain Bronze with champlevé enamel 1 7/8 x 7/8 x 3 /16 in. (4.7 x 2.2 x 8 cm) Rogers Fund, 1980 (1980.450) These "dragonesque" brooches were popular in England at about the time of the Claudian invasion in 43 A.D. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1980.450

Door lintel with lion-griffins and vase with lotus leaf, 2nd–3rd century; Parthian period Hatra, northern Mesopotamia Limestone L. 67 3/4 in. (172.1 cm) Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1932 (32.145a, b) Under Alexander the Great (r. 336–323 B.C.), the Greeks put an end to Achaemenid power, and an era of Greek influence in the ancient Near East began. Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis fell to the armies of Alexander in 331 B.C., and his power extended as far as India. But in 323 B.C., while still a young man, Alexander became ill and died in Babylon. Deprived of his leadership, the empire that might have become the greatest of the ancient world was split by a struggle for power among his successors, the Seleucid kings. The Parthian dynasty, originally from the north and east of Iran, established supremacy in the Near East in the second century B.C., after the disintegration of Alexander's empire and collapse of his successors. Ctesiphon, the capital, was situated on the bank of the Tigris River opposite the earlier Greek settlement of Seleucia. The border between the western empire of Rome and the Parthian lands in the east ran between the central and northern Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Hatra in northern Iraq, southwest of modern Mosul, was a major trading city heavily fortified against Roman attack and populated by a mixture of peoples, Parthians as well as Arabs and the inhabitants of Syria. Once part of a decorated doorway in the north hall of the so-called Main Palace at Hatra, this lintel stone was originally positioned so that the carved surface faced the floor. The two fantastic creatures have feline bodies, long ears, wings, and crest feathers—a combination of animal and bird elements typical of Near Eastern lion-griffins. Between the two figures is a vase containing a stylized lotus leaf and two tendrils. The naturalistic modeling of the creatures' bodies and the form of the central vase reflect Roman influence. However, the absolute symmetry of the composition, the pronounced simplification of the plant forms, and the lion-griffin motif are all characteristic of the Near East. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/32.145a%2Cb

Roundels with Griffin Heads Gilded silver, inlays Western Asia Late 1st millennium BC Accession # 1989.281.34-.35 Roundels of exactly the same form and design have been excavated in the Astrakhan region of Russia, northeast of the Black Sea. Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.

Title: Plaque with horned lion-griffins Period: Achaemenid Date: 6th–4th century B.C. Geography: Iran Medium: Gold Dimensions: H. 13.6 cm, W. 9.8 cm Classification: Metalwork-Ornament Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1954 Accession Number: 54.3.2 Description: In the sixth century B.C., under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, the Persians established themselves at the head of an empire that would eventually extend from eastern Europe and Egypt to India. The Achaemenid Period is well documented by the descriptions of Greek and Old Testament writers and by abundant archaeological remains. Like the Achaemenid gold vessel decorated with the forepart of a lion also in the Museum's collection, this ornament depicts the winged lion-monster but here two creatures are shown rampant. In place of the lion's ears they have those of a bull. Horns curl back over spiky manes and the lion's neck is covered with a feather pattern. Sharply stylized wings extend over two of the five bosses and serve as decorative balace for the design. Heavy rings attached to the back suggest that the ornament was worn on a leather belt. the similar treatment of the lion motif on different types of objects demonstrates decorative conventions of the period. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/ancien...

Panel with Griffins Back to Back Against a Ground of Lotuses Ivory Mesopotamia, excavated at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), Fort Shalmaneser, Room SW 37 Neo-Assyrian period, Phoenician style, 8th century BC Expedition of the British School of Archaeology in Iraq Accession # 61.197.1 Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.

Plaque with a Griffin Eating a Palmette Ivory Mesopotamia, excavated at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), Fort Shalmaneser, Rooms SW 11/12. Neo-Assyrian period, Phoenician style, 9th-8th century BC Accession # 64.37.9 Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.

Medallion with a griffin fighting an Arimaspian, 4th century b.c. Italic; Praeneste Bronze Diam. 3 5/8 in. (9.19 cm) Rogers Fund, 1910 (10.230.1) This bronze "medallion" portrays a naked youth being bitten on the right shoulder by a griffin. It was found at Praeneste and was originally part of the Barberini collection. The Barberini princes undertook extensive excavations in their estate near Praeneste, and their collection is the largest and most complete assemblage of Praenestine fourth century B.C. material. The high quality of this relief and its skillful manufacture recall objects of Greek craftsmanship. The beautiful modeling is clearly inspired by fourth century B.C. classical ideals—the musculature of the young warrior's body is softly rendered and his wavy hair is raised to suggest movement. The tense muscles and tendons of the griffin's paws transmit the animal's strength and power. This "medallion" is shaped like a knob with a flat top. The underpart consists of three nested metal layers, not soldered to the top surface, thus suggesting they were originally two separate pieces. It is likely to be the lid of a vaso a gabbia—a container made of a conical bronze cagelike structure enclosing a leather bag, a local Praenestine fourth century B.C. production. The shape, the size, as well as a little hole that originally would have been attached to a chain with a strigil, all support such an identification. The scene depicted is the myth of the Arimaspians, who were believed to have been one-eyed horsemen inhabiting a land beyond the Black Sea. The Arimaspians were involved in a perpetual struggle against griffins over gold, guarded by these fantastic animals. In the mid-seventh century B.C., Aristeas of Proconnesos wrote the Arimaspeia, a poem narrating his travels in eastern Europe. Later ancient writers, like Aeschylus and Herodotus, drew their knowledge of the Arimaspian myth from this poem. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/10.230.1