Fig. 37.
SWASTIKA MARK
ON BLACK POTTERY.
Cheithan-thagh.
De Morgan, “Au
Caucase,” fig. 179.
M. J. de Morgan (the present director of the Gizeh Museum at Cairo), under the direction of the French Government, made extensive excavations and studies into the prehistoric antiquities and archæology of Russian Armenia. His report is entitled “Le Premier Âge de Métaux dans l’Arménie Russe.”[130] He excavated a number of prehistoric cemeteries, and found therein various forms of crosses engraved on ceintures, vases, and medallions. The Swastika, though present, was more rare. He found it on the heads of two large bronze pins (figs. [35] and [36]) and on one piece of pottery ([fig. 37]) from the prehistoric tombs. The bent arms are all turned to the left, and would be the Suavastika of Prof. Max Müller.
CAUCASUS.
In Caucasus, M. E. Chantre[131] found the Swastika in great purity of form. [Fig. 38] represents portions of a bronze plaque from that country, used on a ceinture or belt. Another of slightly different style, but with square cross and arms bent at right angles, is represented in his pl. 8, fig. 5. These belonged to the first age of iron, and much of the art was intricate.[132] It represented animals as well as all geometric forms, crosses, circles (concentric and otherwise), spirals, meanders, chevrons, herring bone, lozenges, etc. These were sometimes cast in the metal, at other times repoussé, and again were engraved, and occasionally these methods were employed together. [Fig. 39] shows another form, frequently employed and suggested as a possible evolution of the Swastika, from the same locality and same plate. [Fig. 40] represents signs reported by Waring[133] as from Asia Minor, which he credits, without explanation, to Ellis’s “Antiquities of Heraldry.”
The specimen shown in [fig. 41] is reported by Waring,[134] quoting Rzewusky,[135] as one of the several branding marks used on Circassian horses for identification.
Fig. 38.
FRAGMENT OF BRONZE CEINTURE.
Swastika repoussé. Necropolis of Koban, Caucasus.
Chantre, “Le Caucase,” pl. 11, fig. 3.