Page:History of Art in Phrygia, Lydia, Caria and Lycia.djvu/231

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PHRYGIAN CIVILIZATION. 215 Khorsabad and Nimroud, but the Boghaz Keui lions, and the Eyuk bull as well. 1 Besides, this fragment is isolated, for no other has been found in Phrygia; all the other instances of its statuary consisting of figures that are one with the mass in which they are carved, and all are modelled on those images in high, moderate, or flat relief, which the primitive owners of the soil chiselled in the flank of the hill. Again, is there aught that in any way resembles the remarkable bas-reliefs of Pterium, whether in magnitude, the number of the figures, or quality of workman- ship ? The only attempt in that direction is the inexpressibly poor and barbarous hunting scene depicted on the flanks of the Kumbet ram (Figs. 115, 116). The two idols of Cybele (Figs. 107, no) are of the nature of highly conventionalized symbols, rather than portraitures of the living form. Of the original aspect the colossal Cybele at Magnesia ? may have offered, it is now impossible to judge, save that such gigantic proportions as these testify to rare boldness of chisel. In Phrygia, on the contrary, both in sanctuaries open to the sky and subterraneous chapels, the simulacra we have found are but clumsy, timid pieces, devoid of the one quality of size. As to the bas-reliefs of the Broken Tomb (Fig. 117), and more particularly the images decorating the walls of another sepulchre of the same group, they cannot be discussed here, since they already betray the influence of Greece. Viewed as disciples of Cappadocian culture, the Phrygians are much inferior to their masters. The fact, however, that they were humble imitators and pupils is undeniable. Method and habit in attacking the solid rock in order to bring out the image, and, above all, identity of types, everything, proves it. The seated Cybele holding a patera (Fig. 107) is a replica of the Sipylus example; 3 as to the lions the goddess caresses (Figs. 64, 84, i io), 4 the notion of making them her companions did not originate with the Phrygians. Another point still more significant and equally foreign to the soil is the oft-recurring device about Phrygian frontispieces made up of two animals, one on each side of some object. This object may be a phallus (Fig. 75), a pillar (Fig. 109), a vase (Fig. 84) ; the animals, winged sphinxes (Fig. 109), bulls (Fig. 75), and oftener lions (Figs. 64, 84). The artist is allowed 1 Hist, of Art, torn. iv. Figs. 298, 339, 340. 8 Ibid., Fig. 365. * Ibid., torn. iv. Fig. 365. * Ibid., pp. 650, 651.