
Early Animal Style
December 19, 2022
The Anatomy of Germanic Art
- Introduction
- Early Animal Style
- Style I
- Style II B
- Style II C
- Style II D
- Style III E (Broa Style)
This article is a work in progress and will be updated.
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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).