Mythology

Antique Lamps – A Greek Subject Lamp of Gods and Men   by Maurice Robertson

“Classical Greece”, meaning, authoritative: of recognized authority or excellence; “the definitive work on Greece”; or, relating to the most highly developed stage of an earlier civilization and its culture.

This interpretation of the term “classic” clearly defines the Greece of 500 BC, which has constantly re-inspired the Western world. The well known Athenian Acropolis, the temple to Athena, being a perfect example of classical Greek architecture.

At various periods thought history, revivals of the superb designs of Greek classicism have emerged in art and design and particularly, architecture. Architectural styles have been inspired by elements of ancient Greek temples, with the use of massive marble Corinthian and Doric columns, decorative friezes and grand stair cases. These revisits are generally known today as periods of “Greek Revival”. These movements were dominant from about the middle of the 18th century, lasting, almost until the close of the 19th century, 1750 – 1890.

When speaking of design and the visual arts, the neoclassical movement, or the turning back to the classic, can be dated to about c1765 with its introduction generally seen as a reaction to the restraints of the former styles of the Baroque and Rococo, both of which were heavy with form and ornamentation.

The neo classical style can be seen as a desire to go back to the perceived purity and clean lines of ancient Greece. In France, this classical style became known as the style “Etruscan” and was much favored by the court of Louis XV and XVI.

From the late 18th century and up until about 1830 the style greatly influenced designers, peaking through the early years of the 19th century. Interior and furniture designers began to design and produce Greek style tables, chairs, wall hangings, pottery, silver and even coaches. These were all designed in the new classical Greek style, with simple lines and decorative elements drawn from the repertoire of Greco-Roman ornament, particularly from Greek vase painting and from classical architecture, i.e. architectural motifs such as the repetitive Greek key, palmettes and Acanthus leaf. The typical colour range of this neoclassic revival included black motifs outlined against terra cotta and Pompeian red, powder blue, puce and olive, these colours sometimes used in a single décor.

With the exception of porcelain and pottery of the period, when we see these colours today, they appear as pastels. We forget that these objects have been exposed to over 200 years of sunlight with original interiors having long since faded.

From about 1800, European archeology was “discovering” ancient Greece, with new design elements being literally brought to the surface! In 1806, Lord Elgin transported architectural elements of the Parthenon from Athens to London; events like this having the effect of lifting neoclassicism to new heights. Many artists were now taking the path to Greece and a steady flow of sketches and engravings were now making their way north.

The style swept across Europe, now variously known in France, as the Neo-Grec and Empire style, in England as the Regency style and in Russia as Empire style, with its influence felt not only in architecture and design, but in literature, theatre and music.

The Greek revival had a profound influence on architecture, an influence which lasted well into the 19th century. In fact, it was not until the 1840′s that the term “Greek Revival” was used, believing to have been first used by Charles Cockerell, Professor of Architecture, in a lecture delivered to the Royal Society in 1842.

The style lasted well into the 1860′s, especially in North America. The revival saw the construction of many banks, courthouses and other large public buildings including private houses designed on the grand scale. From an architectural perspective, it was held to reflect intellect, prosperity and stability, with the use of grand porticos supported by stately columns, reminiscent of Greek temples.

With the decorative arts, the revival was again strengthened in the 1860-1870 period. At this date, of course, we are talking of the high Victorian period, with design now characterised by a Victorian robustness. Throughout this late revival decade, art and design again swung toward the neoclassical, although this time without the early 19th century slenderness and elegant fine lines.

This article is illustrated with a French lamp from the late revival period and includes its formal description -:

A Very Rare, French, 19th century, black matte glazed, terra cotta lamp decorated with a classical Greek subject. The lamp derived from the style of the Bucchero, Etruscan, terra cotta vases of classical Greek antiquity, circa 500 B.C. These vases, characteristically painted with highly glazed black figures on a grey-black ground.

The lamp of amphora shape, an oval body with a narrow neck and curved handles. The amphora supported on a short socle and standing on a circular base. This shape was introduced by the “Bucchero potter”, Nikosthenes in about 530 B.C

The subject of the decoration, Triptolemus, the legendary mortal of Greek mythology, much favoured by the gods. Demeter, goddess of agriculture, consecrates Triptolemus, the son of Celeus, “King of Eleusis”. Demeter, with her daughter, Persephone, Goddess of Spring Growth, instructing him in the art of agriculture. From Triptolemus the rest of Greece learned to plant and reap crops.

Triptolemus flew across the land in a winged chariot, a gift of the goddesses, to complete his mission. The decoration with highly glazed black figures,shows Triptolemus seated in his winged chariot and holding his attribute, a sceptre of ears of corn, the goddess Demeter passing him implements of agriculture.

The reverse side of the lamp decorated with Demeter, the grain and fertility goddess and Persephone, goddess of Spring growth and Queen of the underworld, the goddesses holding Eleusinian torches and sheaves of wheat. Demeter shown standing by her altar, within the temple, built in her honour by Triptolemus.

The lamp standing on a custom made stepped, circular, gold plated, bronze base, the base rim enamelled in black. The lamp cap of custom made, gold plated bronze.

The lamp shown with a company, custom made, box pleated lamp shade in black and terra cotta silk.

Circa 1865 Overall height including shade 23″/58.5cm

The lamp produced in Greek Etruscan style, with a black matte ground selectively polished to produce the classical Greek subject. This example also demonstrates the attention to detail and quality of workmanship of this Victorian expansionist period.

The descriptive term, “neoclassical” giving way to the term “Greek revival” and accepted as being prominent from c1765 – c1870, saw the rebirth of classical Greek architectural elements, extending into the decorative arts, interior design, literature and music.

This elegant, fine lined style has never been surpassed and is constantly revisited by every aspect of design, architectural, interior design and fashion.

About the Author

See this Greek Revival lamp @ http://www.antiquelampshop.com/lamp-chat.php?id=36

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the U.S, the U.K and Australia.

For more information you are invited to visit their web site at http://www.antiquelampshop.com

© The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co 2010

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Persephone $15.83 On a warm spring day, the beautiful young goddess Persephone is snatched from her home by Hades, god of the Underworld, and taken away to live underground and become his bride. Persephone’s mother, Demeter, goddess of Earth, is so brokenhearted that she curses the land so nothing can grow a permanent winter. / How will Persephone and her mother be reunited? Will spring ever come again? / This lyrical retelling of the ancient Greek myth by master storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton is brought to life with Virginia Lee’s beautiful illustrations. Young readers will be intrigued by the dramatic story as well as by its clever explanation for the changing seasons.

Greek and Roman Mythology $19.99 Learn more about Greek and Roman Mythology with this comprehensive and fully illustrated book. Audience. Intended for everyone interested Greek and Roman Mythology. Written in plain English. Fully illustrated with maps, art, and photographs. Search for the words or phrases. Navigate from Table of Contents or read page by page. Add Bookmarks. Text annotation and mark-up. Access the guide anytime, anywhere – at home, on the train, in the subway. Always have the guide available for a quick reference. Table of Contents. Ancient Greece: Overview Art Greek Mythology Ancient Rome: Overview Religion Etruscan Mythology Art Roman Mythology Romulus and Remus. Greek Gods: Overview Twelve Olympians: Apollo Ares Artemis Aphrodite Athena Demeter Dionysus Hades Helios Hephaestus Hera Hermes Persephone Poseidon Hestia Hebe Zeus Primordial Gods. Greek Gods, Heros & Creatures: Asclepius Orpheus Achilles Pan Nymph Siren Prometheus Medea Muse Amazons Centaur Minotaur Gorgon Satyr Cyclops Titans. Roman Gods: Fortuna Faunus Jupiter Venus Ceres Neptune Cupid Diana Janus Juno Mars Mercury Minerva Pluto Saturn Vesta Vulcan Apollo Bacchus. Heracles: Overview Twelve Labours: Nemean Lion Ceryneian Hind Erymanthian Boar Augeas Stymphalian Birds Cretan Bull Mares of Diomedes Hippolyta Geryon Hesperides Cerberus Lernaean Hydra. Poems: Homeric Hymns Theogony Cyclops Iliad Odyssey Argonautica Medea.

Persephone the Phony $7.78 Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic Greek myths about Athena and Persephone in the Goddess Girls series

The Eternal Drama: The Inner Meaning of Greek Mythology $22.29 Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Athena–do the gods and goddesses of Greece have anything to say to us that we haven’t already heard? In this book, based on a series of his lectures, the eminent Jungian analyst and writer Edward F. Edinger revisits all the major figures, myths, oracles, and legends of the ancient Greek religion to discover what they can still reveal–representing, as they do, one of the religious and mythic foundations of Western culture. Building on C. G. Jung’s assertion that mythology is an expression of the deepest layers of mind and soul, Dr. Edinger follows the mythic images into their persistent manifestations in literature and on into our modern lives. He finds that the gods indeed continue to speak as we grow in our capacity to listen and that the myths express the inner energies within all of us as much as ever. Heracles is eternally performing his labors, Perseus is still confronting Medusa, Theseus is forever stalking the Minotaur, and Persephone is still being carried off to life in a new realm.

Mythology $3.98 The classic collection of Greek, Roman & Norse myths.

The Everything Classical Mythology Book $15.95 Romance, betrayal, passion, tragedy, violence, and scandal. No, it’s not the latest reality TV search for love–it’s classical mythology. For years, people have turned to the ancient Greek and Roman myths for entertaining reading, unbelievable storylines, unique characters, and unparalleled drama. This guide explains the great stories and how they still influence literature, entertainment, and everyday life. From heroes and heroines to monsters and villains, this entertaining guide covers it all. Inside, you will learn how: The Greeks defeated the Titans Odysseus tricked the Cyclops Hercules accomplished the twelve labors Peruses slew Medusa The Greeks bested the Trojans Hades abducted Persephone Bellerophon killed the Chimera With an easy reference chart of the gods and goddesses and their interrelations, this action-packed book helps you bring classical mythology to life!

Manual of Mythology $21.38 Manual of Mythology: Greek, Roman, Norse, and Old German, Hindoo, and Egyptian Mythology.

Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology $90 Greek and Roman mythology has fascinated people for more than two millennia, and its influence on cultures throughout Europe, America, North Africa, and the Middle East attests to the universal appeal of the stories. This title examines the best-known figures of Greek and Roman mythology together with the great works of classic literature.

The Library of Greek Mythology $6.48 A new translation of an important text for Greek mythology used as a source book by classicists from antiquity to Robert Graves, The Library of Greek Mythology is a complete summary of early Greek myth, telling the story of each of the great families of heroic mythology, and the various adventures associated with the main heroes and heroines, from Jason and Perseus to Heracles and Helen of Troy. Using the ancient system of detailed histories of the great families, it contains invaluable genealogical diagrams for maximum clarity.

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Greek Mythology Systematized $27.96 Contents: sources of materials; genealogical tables, based upon Heiod’s theogony; key to pronunciation of Greek names; Doric portico, naming parts ornamented with mythological designs; program for study of mythological characters; development of mythology in the order of the tables; characters outside of Hesiod’s theogony; legends of heroes; abstract of Gladstone’s analysis of Homer’s mythology; genealogical tables, based upon Grote’s history of Greece. Includes illustrations of many characters in Greek mythology.

Greek Mythology: An Introduction $6.98 This revised translation of Fritz Graf’s highly acclaimed introduction to Greek mythology offers a chronological account of the principal Greek myths that appear in the surviving literary and artistic sources and concurrently documents the history of interpretation of Greek mythology from the 17th century to the present. First surveying the various definitions of myth that have been advanced, Graf proceeds to examine topics such as the relationship between Greek myths and epic poetry, the connection between particular myths and shrines or holy festivals, the use of myth in Greek song and tragedy, and the uses and interpretations of myth by philosophers and allegorists.

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Persephone’s Echo $23.77 Persephoneas Echo is a collection of poetry about the echoes of the past, both in mythology and my personal life. It combines Jungian archetypes with Sylvia Plath-like confession. It also combines personal with political. These topics are traditional, yet told with an intensely emotional slant. Although each poem tells a story unto itself, they are each part of a larger story. In order to experience the full power of the poems, they should be read in context with each other.

Greek Mythology $54.04 This book is in Used condition

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Greek And Roman Mythology: History, Art, Reference. Heracles, Zeus, Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Venus, Cyclops, Titans. (Mobi Reference) $7.99 Learn more about Greek and Roman Mythology with this comprehensive and fully illustrated book.Audience:Intended for everyone interested Greek and Roman Mythology. Written in plain English.FEATURES:- Fully illustrated with maps, art, and photographs – Search for the words or phrases – Navigate from Table of Contents or read page by page – Add Bookmarks – Designed for optimal navigation on electronic devices with a small screen – Access the guide anytime, anywhere – at home, on the train, in the subway. – Always have the guide available for a quick reference.TABLE OF CONTENTS:Ancient Greece: Overview Art Greek Mythology Ancient Rome: Overview Religion Etruscan Mythology Art Roman Mythology Romulus and RemusGreek Gods: Overview Twelve Olympians: Apollo Ares Artemis Aphrodite Athena Demeter Dionysus Hades Helios Hephaestus Hera Hermes Persephone Poseidon Hestia Hebe Zeus Primordial GodsGreek Gods, Heros & Creatures: Asclepius Orpheus Achilles Pan Nymph Siren Prometheus Medea Muse Amazons Centaur Minotaur Gorgon Satyr Cyclops TitansRoman Gods: Fortuna Faunus Jupiter Venus Ceres Neptune Cupid Diana Janus Juno Mars Mercury Minerva Pluto Saturn Vesta Vulcan Apollo BacchusHeracles: Overview Twelve Labours: Nemean Lion Ceryneian Hind Erymanthian Boar Augeas Stymphalian Birds Cretan Bull Mares of Diomedes Hippolyta Geryon Hesperides Cerberus Lernaean HydraPoems: Homeric Hymns Theogony Cyclops Iliad Odyssey Argonautica Medea

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