Art and Celtic Dolls

A very good Article:
Celtic Art
History, Designs, Crafts of Celts: Hallstatt, La Tene, Hiberno-Saxon Insular Style: Illuminated Manuscripts, Celtic Metalwork, High Cross Sculpture.
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La Tene Style Metal Figurine
Dating from the 1st century BCE
(Museum of Brittany, Rennes).
Celtic Art (1,000 BCE onwards)
Contents

• When Did Celtic Art Begin?
• What Were the Early Influences on Celtic Art?
• What Was the First Style of Celtic Art?
• What Were the Main Characteristics of Hallstatt Arts and Crafts?
• What Style of Celtic Art Came After Hallstatt?
• What Were the Main Characteristics of La Tene Arts and Crafts?
• Are There Any Examples of La Tene Painting or Sculpture?
• Did the Celts Make Pottery?
• What Happened to the History of Celtic Art After La Tene?
• What Happened to Celtic Art in Ireland After the Fall of Rome?
• Was the Christian Celtic Renaissance Caused Solely by the Church?
• How Did the Church Help Irish Celtic Art?
• How Did Christian Celtic Metalwork Develop?
• How Did Illuminated Manuscripts Develop?
• How and When Did Celtic High Cross Sculpture Develop in Ireland?
• Was There a Continuous Tradition of Celtic Designwork in Ireland?


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St John from the Book of Mulling (c.790)
An illuminated gospel text with
portraits bordered by interlaced
animals and knotwork. Even St John's
hair and clothing is interlaced.
(Trinity College, Dublin)

The Broighter Boat (1st century BCE)
La Tene Style Celtic Gold Metalwork
(National Museum of Ireland) When Did Celtic Art Begin?

Broadly speaking, the earliest Celtic arts and crafts appeared in Iron Age Europe with the first migrations of Celts coming from the steppes of Southern Russia, from about 1000 BCE onwards. Any European art, craftwork or architecture before this date derives from earlier Bronze Age societies of the Urnfield culture (1200-750 BCE), or the Tumulus (1600-1200 BCE), Unetice (2300-1600 BCE) or Beaker (2800–1900 BCE) cultures.
See also: Irish Bronze Age and Irish Iron Age.


The Eagle Symbol of St Mark
from The Book of Durrow (c.670)
Showing complex knotwork.
(Trinity College, Dublin)
What Were the Early Influences on Celtic Art?

The first Celts brought their own cultural styles, derived from the Caucasian Bronze Age, as well as a knowledge of Mediterranean and Etruscan styles, derived from maritime trading contacts through the Bosporus between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean basin. Settling in the area of the Upper Danube, the Celts duly absorbed motifs of the ancient Danubian tradition.

They also brought with them a knowledge of iron-making, possibly developed from the Bronze-making Maikop culture of the Russia Caucasus, or contacts with the Levant. (The later La Tene silver masterpiece, known as the "Gundestrup cauldron" is believed to have been made in the Black Sea region.)

HISTORY OF CELTIC CULTURE
For facts about the evolution of
metalwork, sculpture, ceramics
and illuminated manuscripts, see:
Celtic Art, Early Style
Celtic Coins Art
Celtic Art, Wadalgesheim Style
Celtic Art, Late European Style
Celtic Art in Britain and Ireland
Celtic Style Christian Art

ARTISTRY OF THE CELTS
For facts about the craftsmanship,
artistry and artisanship for which
the Celts were justly famous, see:
Celtic Weapons Art
Celtic Jewellery Art
Celtic Sculpture.

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/cultural-history-of-ireland/celtic-art.htm