Replica of a Scythian gorytos
The Scythians were nomadic herdsmen inhabiting the Eurasian steppe between 700 ? 300 BC. They ranged from the Black Sea to the borders of Mongolia and Siberia. They were known and feared for their skill as horsemen with bows. They carried a combined bow holster and arrow quiver called a gorytos. This was made as two separate leather cases that were riveted together. Their gorytoi were dyed red and decorated with gold foil decorations. I used lac, a dye known to the Scythians, to dye the leather. I sewed it using synthetic sinew. They used real sinew for the sewing. I decorated it with brass foil using three different foil-working techniques and motifs from the period.
I will post close ups of the foil work in another posting if there is interest.
I will post close ups of the foil work in another posting if there is interest.
Dave, Nice work. Metal work is always the difficult part to come by.
The central plaque is published in "Scythian Gold" pp301-303. Origin for those without the text is Soboleva Mohyla, Northern Black sea area. Attribution is Greek.
The text reads, "The gorytus (this gorytus) is unique and an interesting fusion of diverse motifs, many of Near Eastern and Greek origin." 1.
1. See the essay by Reeder in this volume.
Among ancient Greeks, gold work was done by slaves. Many Scythians owned Greek slaves. Another mystery to ponder. -j-
The central plaque is published in "Scythian Gold" pp301-303. Origin for those without the text is Soboleva Mohyla, Northern Black sea area. Attribution is Greek.
The text reads, "The gorytus (this gorytus) is unique and an interesting fusion of diverse motifs, many of Near Eastern and Greek origin." 1.
1. See the essay by Reeder in this volume.
Among ancient Greeks, gold work was done by slaves. Many Scythians owned Greek slaves. Another mystery to ponder. -j-
Dave
I have a question, is it hung just bu one strap or is their 2.
Matt
I have a question, is it hung just bu one strap or is their 2.
Matt
All Scytian artworks show only one strap, so that is how I made it.
Hi Dave, nice work...
Regards
Janek
Regards
Janek
Hi!
...looks like a rekonstruktion of the rekonstruktion of the arzan find, done for the exhibition that moves through germany at the moment...
What was the original?
...looks like a rekonstruktion of the rekonstruktion of the arzan find, done for the exhibition that moves through germany at the moment...
What was the original?
I made this gorytos after consulting the following sources. I didn't have a model to work from. Do you have pictures of the replica in Germany? Or can't you post a link?
Cernenko, E.V., A. McBride, and M.V.Gorelik.1997. The Scythians 700-300 BC. Osprey Men-At-Arms 137. Reed International Books Ltd. London.
Dwyer, B. 2004. Scythian-Style Bow Discovered in Xinjiang. Asian Traditional Archery Research Network (ATARN): http://www.atarn.org/Chinese/Scythian-bows.htm
Dwyer, B. 2003. Personal communication on Asian Traditional Archery Research Network (ATARN) Forum: ?Scythian Gorytos Construction? 1/14/2003. http://www.atarn.org
Herodotus. The History. Translated by D.Green. 1987. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Karasev, V. and J. Farrell. 2005. The Sakian Gorytus. Primative Archer. Volume 13, issue 2: 48 ? 53.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1975. From the Lands of the Scythians: Ancient Treasurers from the Museums of the USSR 3000 B.C. to 100 B.C. New York Graphic Society, New York.
Reeder, E. D., editor. 1999. Scythian Gold: Treasures from the Ancient Ukraine. Harry N. Abrams, New York.
Treister, M. Y. 2001. Hammering Techniques in Greek and Roman Jewellery and Toreutics. Brill, Leiden.Boston.K?ln.
Williams, D. and J. Ogden. 1995. Greek Gold: Jewelry of the Classical World. Harry N. Abrams, New York.
Cernenko, E.V., A. McBride, and M.V.Gorelik.1997. The Scythians 700-300 BC. Osprey Men-At-Arms 137. Reed International Books Ltd. London.
Dwyer, B. 2004. Scythian-Style Bow Discovered in Xinjiang. Asian Traditional Archery Research Network (ATARN): http://www.atarn.org/Chinese/Scythian-bows.htm
Dwyer, B. 2003. Personal communication on Asian Traditional Archery Research Network (ATARN) Forum: ?Scythian Gorytos Construction? 1/14/2003. http://www.atarn.org
Herodotus. The History. Translated by D.Green. 1987. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Karasev, V. and J. Farrell. 2005. The Sakian Gorytus. Primative Archer. Volume 13, issue 2: 48 ? 53.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1975. From the Lands of the Scythians: Ancient Treasurers from the Museums of the USSR 3000 B.C. to 100 B.C. New York Graphic Society, New York.
Reeder, E. D., editor. 1999. Scythian Gold: Treasures from the Ancient Ukraine. Harry N. Abrams, New York.
Treister, M. Y. 2001. Hammering Techniques in Greek and Roman Jewellery and Toreutics. Brill, Leiden.Boston.K?ln.
Williams, D. and J. Ogden. 1995. Greek Gold: Jewelry of the Classical World. Harry N. Abrams, New York.
...unfortunately not...
I tried to find some in the web, but there's nothing. I only can post the in situ pic's, and in the 'Eurasia Antiqua' Magazine (number 9 i think) there's a drawing... but i try to get some photos of it... only don't know when...
I tried to find some in the web, but there's nothing. I only can post the in situ pic's, and in the 'Eurasia Antiqua' Magazine (number 9 i think) there's a drawing... but i try to get some photos of it... only don't know when...