Early Animal Style

The Anatomy of Germanic Art

 

• Introduction
• Early Animal Style
• Style I
  • Gold Bracteates
• Style II B
  • Gold Foil Figures
  • Helmet Plates
• Style II C
• Style II D
• Style III E (Broa Style)
  • Figurative Motifs

 

• The Anatomy of Viking Art

 

 

 

This article is a work in progress and will be updated.

 

Sign up for the newsletter below to get notified when new content is published.

 

 

 

The Anatomy of Early Animal Style

 

c. 375 – 475

 

 

 

Shapes

 

1. Geometric ornamentation: triquetras/triskelions, arches, circles and dots.
2. Heads in Profile
3. Round Eyes
4. Open outwards-curling jaws
5. Pointy chin.
6. Boat-shaped ears.
7. Simple, almost almond-shaped hips.
8. Feet with toe-fronds.

 

 

Outlines

 

Even outlines without tapering or indents.

 

 

Flow

 

Simple wavy curves.

 

A. S-shapes.

 

 

Pattern

 

• Interlace rarely occurs.
• Loose interlace with visible background.
• Single-stranded ribbons.
• Double-stranded ribbons.
• Triple-stranded ribbons.
• Uniform line widths.

 

 

 

Composition

 

• Simple compositions based on line symmetry (A, B, C, D).
• A blend of geometric and zoomorphic framework (C).
• A preference for spiral terminals as main ornamental elements (C, D).

 

 

 

Motifs

 

• Pelta shapes (C).
• Ribbon animals (A, B, D).
• Four-legged animals (B).
• Animals with front legs only and curly tails (A, D).
• Human faces (D).
• Animal-head terminals (C).