| Koban-Colchaian Culture |
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| Written by Sausryqua | |
| Tuesday, 26 December 2006 | |
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Between the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, in the early 1st millenium BC, two similar cultures, Koban and Colchaian, arose in the Caucasus. Remarkable bronzesmiths produced a range of objects which are now well represented in the Hermitage. This large collection of bronzes shows just how magnificently metalwork flourished in the Caucasus during the Prehistoric era. The nucleus of the Koban collection is formed of articles discovered in 1869 in a burial mound in Northern Ossetia, in the aul or village of Koban. These include battle-axes, daggers, decorative items and other objects, astonishing in the diversity of their shapes, their faultless workmanship, elegant contours and remarkable sculptural qualities. Later, further sites were uncovered in the central Caucasus which provided more evidence of what is now referred to as the Koban Culture. Koban articles are diverse, but the most typical are bronze items of the 11th to 4th centuries BC. Most objects are covered with engraved or chased representations of animals. There are anthropomorphic figurines and animal figurines of three-dimensional design. Generalization and spontaneity and some degree of realism are typical of Koban objects, and many of them look astonishingly dynamic. Divine powers were thought to be embodied in animals, thus animal images and figurines assumed the role of protective amulets, and their use became widespread. Persons wearing such amulets were thought to possess the traits of the animal depicted, such as strength, agility and astuteness. Anthropomorphic representations show that the theme of man was very important in the art of ancient peoples of the Caucasus. Most figurines are nude males with emphasized genitalia, embodying power, abundance, and sometimes depicting the god of fertility or god of war. The Colchaian culture, very close to the Koban in terms of the production of bronze objects, appeared in the western Caucasus somewhat earlier than the Koban culture. Splendid Colchaian articles have been found, for example, at Bamborskaya Polyana in Abkhazia.  Belt Buckle First half of the 1st millenium BC Bronze H 16.5 cm Northern Ossetia, Koban burial ground This narrow buckle is decorated with a frieze of deer against a background of geometrical ornament. The deeply etched outlines of the figures were probably once filled with coloured, glass-like material. Buckles of similar shape were widespread, most of them about 20 cm long. Ancient craftsmen used various techniques to decorate their buckles with animal images.  Axe 8th-7th centuries BC Bronze L 16.3 cm Abkhazia, Koban Culture The surface of this axe is decorated with an engraved figure of a dog-like animal and geometrical design. With a rounded butt, the axe has flanges either side of the shaft hole and a wide, rounded blade. Battle-axes are typical of Koban culture and can easily be recognised by their peculiar shape and fine engraving.  Pin First half of the 1st millenium BC Bronze L 28 cm Northern Ossetia, Koban burial ground This pin in the form of a pole-axe is decorated with three sculptures of animal heads, all with open mouths. On one side of the pole-axe are two beasts of prey, framed by a geometrical design. In making the piece, the bronzesmith used the techniques of chasing and engraving. Pins were widely used as accessories and surviving examples are remarkable for the diversity of their forms and skilful execution.  Belt Buckle First half of the 1st millenium BC Bronze L 12.9 cm Northern Ossetia, Koban burial ground This figure, probably representing a galloping horse, is a typical example of the Koban Animal Style. The highly stylized figure has features characteristic of horses and creates the impression of swift movement. Parallel lines and their intersections form an ornamental decoration on the surface of the horse's body. The hook for attaching the buckle was on the reverse. http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/ |
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