Ivory carving - Homeric World

where did the Mycenaeans get their ivory ?

• elephants, hippopotami, boars

• ivory was often from Africa/Egypt and obtained through trade.

What was ivory used for ?

• armour

• art - sculptures

• some everyday objects - but not all

Sculpture of a child ( god ?) with two bare-breasted women

Date : 14th - 15th century BC

Location : Mycenae

Material : Ivory

Significance :

• evidence of trade ( imported ivory from Africa, Egypt )

• evidence of religion - child or women could be god/goddesses

• evidence of skilled craftsmanship - carving:

  • folds on dress - realistic

  • tiered skirt - many layers

• Evidence of clothing :

  • tiered skirt - typical Mycenaean female clothing

Warrior’s head

Location : Mycenaean tomb

Material : Ivory

Significance :

• Evidence of trade - ivory imported

• it’s an ivory statue in a tomb

  • evidence of burial customs :

    • protection in the afterlife ?

    • deceased was a soldier themselves and this is how they looked when alive.

Ivory Lyre

• Musical instrument ( similar to a harp ) - strings would have been attached.

Significance :

• evidence of trade - ivory imported

• evidence of culture - music - mythical creatures ( sphinxes on the bottom part )

• Evidence of good craftsmanship, skill :

  • sphinxes carved into the bottom area.

  • carve and smooth out curved, lyre shape.

Comb with rosettes and sphinxes

Date : 14th - 13th century BC

Location : Found in Attica ( Mycenaean craftmsmanship )

Material : Ivory

Significance :

• evidence of trade ( Mycenaean work is sought after - impressive )

• Impressive craftsmanship :

  • detailed carving - small object

  • comb needles very brittle - impressive to be able to carve out individual one.

  • elaborately carved sphinxes and rosettes

Pyxis with sphinxes

Date : 14th - 13th century BC

Location : Found in Thebes ( Mycenaean workmanship )

Material : Ivory

Significance :

• evidence of trade - Mycenaean work in Thebes

• Wealth - ivory jewellery box

• Impressive ivory carving - great craftsmanship - very detailed and intricate

Ivory comb with lions on top

• evidence of good craftsmanship

  • intricately carved lions on top - very small and brittle - impressive

  • geometric patterns throughout the entire comb - detailed

• evidence of trade - ivory imported

Comb with animal procession

evidence of good craftsmanship, skilled :

• intricately carved animals on comb body.

evidence of trade - ivory imported

Reclining Lion

• evidence of trade - ivory imported

• evidence of good craftsmanship :

  • carved out - very small

• Lions were a symbol of power in the ancient world - evidence of culture, royalty ?

Head of a youth

Location : House of the Fresco in Mycenae

significance :

• skilled craftsmanship :

  • it would have been painted

  • human features are relatively realistic for ancient times - carved out.

Boar tusk helmet 1

Date: 17th century BC

Location : Mycenae

Material : Boar ivory

Significance :

• evidence for armour and warfare in Mycenaean Age

  • ear protection, shape of helmet

• materials used for armour

skilled craftsmanship :

• carving and smoothing out each piece of boar ivory

• sewing it onto a felt cap with string, creating a mosaic pattern

Boar tusk helmet 2

Date : 17th century BC

Location : Mycenae

Material : Boar Ivory

Significance :

• evidence of armour and war in Mycenaean Age

  • ear protection, shape of helmet

• evidence of variation in helmets :

  • this one has a metal frame and bands underneath

  • boar tusk plates are laid on.