The Iron age
is the period in Irish history about which there is most speculation and least
certainty.
This period
was influenced by the La Tene culture and the Celts, who
travelled to Ireland from Europe, bringing with them there skills in metalwork
and decorative elements in artwork.
The Iron age
in Ireland occurs circa 500BC – 400AD.
The Iron age
in Ireland was particularly common in the north and north west of the country.
At this time, Iron was the main metal used to make weapons as it was very strong, these included knives, axes and functional objects such as cooking utensils.
At this time, Iron was the main metal used to make weapons as it was very strong, these included knives, axes and functional objects such as cooking utensils.
However bronze
and gold were still used during this time because these metals do not rust or
decay like iron.
Le Tene
The La Tene culture got
its name as some of the Celtic people came from an area known as La Tene near Lake Neuchated in
Switzerland.
A common
ritual/characteristic of the culture was to throw objects into the lakes as a
ceremonial offering. La Tene was a prime
example of a European Celtic site, with a great deposits of weapons and other
objects found in the lake.
The La Tene style and
culture reached as far as the Mediterranean and the east, including Greece, this has influenced the style of artwork associated
with this time.
La Tene Artwork
The artwork
from this time was varied but repetitive and very decorative.
Motifs were influenced by Eastern and Greek ideas – with an emphasis on plant forms, honeysuckle, and flowing tendrils. They were blended together to form a distinctive style of abstract and curvilinear patterns. This style was known as the Waldalgesheim style.
Motifs were influenced by Eastern and Greek ideas – with an emphasis on plant forms, honeysuckle, and flowing tendrils. They were blended together to form a distinctive style of abstract and curvilinear patterns. This style was known as the Waldalgesheim style.
Ultimate La Tene
Later in the
iron age there was a change in the style
of design:
The patterns became lighter and more symmetrical.
The patterns became lighter and more symmetrical.
The vegetal
designs of the insular style gave way to more geometric styles of ultimate La Tene – tis
continued into the Christian era.
Loughnashade Trumpet
Period: Iron Age
Form: it is made
from two tubes of
sheets bronze joined by a
knob in the middle. It has a decorative
plate/disc attached to the end. This
design is lighter and more linear than earlier work.
Function: it was used as
a trumpet, to create sound perhaps during rituals or before going into battle.
Location: found
in Loughnashade Co. Antrim
™Decoration: The
mouthpiece is decorated by a rimmed circular disc. The designed excuted in Repoussé, and
consist of
a
four part pattern of linear curves. The spiral bosses are in high
relief,
with large spirals ending the curvilinear
forms. It is based on the roman pelta
motif and is almost perfectly symmetrical.
™The
lotus flower has links to Egypt and is included in the motif.
™The
circular diac has
broader areas in relief at the ends of the curves.
™
™Technique: The
curved trumpet was made by rolling a tube of bronze and reviting the
sides to a strip
of bronze on
the inside.
Petrie Crown
Broighter Collar
Turoe Stone
Summary
The La Tene
culture – The Celts
European,
Eastern and Greek influences
™Ornamental
work was abstract ,decorative and had curvilinear
patterns
Motifs
included plant forms & trumpet forms
Iron was used
for implements and weapons
NEW
TECHNIQUES: Soldering and Enamelling
In easiest terms, Enameling is the fusing of glass to metal under high heat conditions.
Soldering
is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting
and flowing a filler metal (solder) into the joint, the filler metal having a
lower melting point than the workpiece.In easiest terms, Enameling is the fusing of glass to metal under high heat conditions.
METHODS OF
DECORATION:
Repousee – hammering a
design on the reverse of the iron
