Modern designers and interior decorators say that metal art is ultra-modern and that it is the latest trend in home styling which lead many to believe that it was something that was born yesterday. The fact of the matter is that archaeologist findings have traced metal art back to as early as 7000 B.C. Excavations have revealed metal cups and bowls, vases, masks, weapons and jewelry. Metal artifacts from the early Bronze Age are displayed in museums across the country revealing human beings intense desire to be artistic and creative. Most of the then artwork has been made by hammering and is rather basic in nature, but later findings have also shown articles with ornamental figures and designs - evidence enough that with every passage of time and the acquisition of familiarity and awareness, the art form continued to grow and evolve. The Egyptians were by far the best craftsmen, who even in those days when modern technology and equipment was not available were adept and extremely proficient in creating superb objects of art. The pyramids contain a wealth of metal artwork that includes funeral masks, huge necklaces of gold, figurines and coins. Moreover, they sculpted statues in bronze that have survived till day and are living proof of their superiority and genius. The Medieval period was the time when metal art took flight and entered a sphere of its own. Houses combined woods with ornate and ornament ally designed metal artifacts. Cathedrals and other religious buildings were adorned with metal gates and other dazzling metal decor. Religious places had idols of gold. Compared to today, where metal art is more decorative, early metal art depicted things and objects people used and came into contact every day of their lives. The more and more it evolved, with the acquisition of tools that could cut and shape the metals, man realized that it could be used for decorative purposes as well. Cooking utensils, weapons, began to get fancy shapes and indented designs. However, statues were the first major forms of an artist’s expression in metal art. The moment sculptors of that era realized that metal could be cut, chiseled and shaped into desired forms; stone gave way to bronze and copper as the material of choice for sculpting statues. Bronze and copper statues, excavated from archaeological sites, and belonging to periods before Christ; have shown extraordinary craftsmanship and attention to details. In modern times, perhaps the most visible and known piece of metal art is the Statue of Liberty – the magnificent lady with the torch is cast in copper and wrought iron and would certainly figure among-st the most iconic metal arts of all time.
Related Articles -
metal wall art, Metal fabrication, outdoor metal wall art, custom metal fabrication, metal garden art, metal tree wall art, large metal wall art,
|