Materialistic Influence
It is probable that it had its origin in the facility with which wire could be bent, and in early jewellery such scroll forms are conspicuous.
A reasonable conjecture is that the similar forms in early repoussé work, such as that of the gold ornaments found at Enkomi, Cyprus and the painted decoration of the Greek vases, were inspired by the treatment which was the outcome of the use of metal in the form of thin wire. Similar details occur in Peruvian and New Guinea work, which is certainly coincidental as it is difficult to imagine these people having any communication with the Old World.
Scandinavian and Keltic art was to a certain extent influenced by Eastern tradition through the medium of the Phœnician merchant adventurers; but no such conjecture is feasible in the Maori incised work and tattooing in which similar details occur.
The scrolling line alone may be used, generally in decoration of small scale, as in the Greek vases. In this form it frequently occurs in pottery, either incised or painted, and in filagree jewellery. Wrought iron partakes largely of the scrolling character, but this, as in filagree, is the direct result of the material employed.
Scandinavian and Keltic ornament consisted mainly
No. 229. The Evolute Scroll.
A. Pottery (painted) Archaic Greek.
B. Pottery (painted) Cyprus, 800 B.C.
C. D. F. Gold Ornaments from Tombs at Enkomi, Cyprus.
E. Pottery (painted) Ancient Mexico.
G. Early Greek Stone Carving. Treasury of Minyas at Orchomenos, Boeotia.
H. Assyrian Stone Carving. Sacred Hom or Palm.
No. 230. The Evolute Scroll in Savage Art.
A. B. C. Spatula Handles, Carved Wood, New Guinea.
D. Detail on Paddle, Carved Wood, New Guinea.
E. Maori Chief’s Staff Handle, Carved Wood.
F. Detail from Tattooed Maori Head.
G. Engraved Bamboo, Borneo.
H. Carved Wood Detail, New Guinea.
of a series of scrolling forms, as also did much of the ornament of the illuminated Gothic work and mural decoration. The desire for variety and mass lead eventually to the employment of diverse elements, arising in many instances from different treatment of existing details; thus, during the Renaissance, the side view of a poppy-like flower suggested and became a profile mask, and the husk leaf was frequently elaborated into the form of a dolphin.
No. 231. Scroll & Anthemion Ornament from Greek Vase Paintings.