Griffin on a Seal

 #griffin #seal #intaglio 

Here's a example of Hellenistic carving on a smaller scale.  This image is larger than the original .

 

Let me know if you have found this Griffin sequence useful and enjoyable? 

Yet MORE GRIFFINS

 GRIFFINS ON A SACROPHAGUS

#delphi  #sacrophagus #Griffins

 

These two seem to be protecting a sacred flame. The style suggests the Hellenisitc era.

MORE GRIFFINS

 MORE GRIFFINS

Whether the Griffin is depicted in Near Eastern Greek Roman or later art it is consistently shown with a slender feline body often described as leonine though some look more feline and whether or not it has wings a raptors head BUT WITH A CREST . 

One theory is that someone saw a fossil of a crested dinosaur or perhaps a bone deposit of several fossils tangled together but whatever started the stories the griffin is certainly one of the most striking creatures we have legends about and artistic depictions!

Here's some more Griffin art!

Here's a Persian frieze in which the Griffin has horns and a lions face rather than a crest.

More typical of Middle Eastern art was this ivory fragment.

Finally something Hellenic.

This griffin has a rather dragonish crest but the distinctive erect ears and beak and the artist has also included a sphinx and a leopard for contrast or as a complement.

 

Sphinxes Griffins and More

A #Mosaic from a #Hellenistic era Greek house with #sphinxes #griggins #lions a #hippocampus and a glorious meander pattern for your viewing pleasure.

Ancient Greek Gold Earrings

Ancient Greek Gold Earrings 

 These were found in Cyprus. There was a fashion even an obsession with Griffins in the Archaic period here expressed as lions with griffin ears and serpent tails forming the spiral for inserting the earrings into a pierced ear or an already inserted loop? Or perhaps these are just lions depicted?

They are however quite exquisite! 

Fantastic Beasts The Griffin in Greek Art

FANTASTIC BEASTS
THE GRIFFIN IN GREEK ART
#griffin #greekart #myth
With #Fantasticbeasts and where to find them premiering this week
let's take a look at a popular beast from Greek mythology
who also features in the #Potterverse

Whether its depicted in Persian Assyrian Greek or other art the Griffin's consistent features are having the body of a lion and an eagle like head but with large external ears and either a mane or frill down the neck or some kind of tuft on top of the head.

I have three examples for you to enjoy.

One of the earliest depictions on a Griffin is a famous #Minoan fresco from Knossos.

This was derived from art from Mesopotamia and Persian such as this seal.

Griffins are also depicted as being used for riding by gods though this may be a Maenad.

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