Bronze Monsters and the Cultures of Wonder: Griffin Cauldrons in the Preclassical Mediterranean

During the eighth and seventh centuries BCE, the griffin, a mythical monster with a lion's body and an eagle's head, was a popular import to the Hellenic and Italic worlds. Bronze cauldrons with griffin protomes, which depicted the neck and head of the beast, were crafted in fine detail and were perceived as lifelike monsters that introduced the illusion of verisimilitude to Mediterranean arts. These cauldrons were placed in the tombs of the wealthy and in sanctuaries, creating fantastical environments akin to later cabinets of curiosities. They were accessible only to elites, fostering a new experience of visuality that symbolized status. Nassos Papalexandrou explores how these spaces made wondrous fostered novel subjectivities and social distinctions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2021
Publisher: University of Texas Press

The eighth and seventh centuries BCE marked a remarkable era of flourishing exchange between the Mediterranean and Near East regions. Among the significant imports to the Hellenic and Italic worlds during this time was the enigmatic image of the griffin, a mythical creature that blended the body of a lion with the head of an eagle. In particular, bronze cauldrons featured griffin protomes, intricately crafted figurative attachments that vividly depicted the neck and head of the beast. These protomes were meticulously crafted, showcasing a remarkable level of detail that captivated viewers and imbued them with a sense of vitality.

Bronze Monsters and the Cultures of Wonder delves into the captivating world of griffin cauldrons as case studies in the dynamic material and visual realms of preclassical antiquity. The author argues that these objects were perceived as lifelike monsters, introducing the illusion of verisimilitude to Mediterranean arts. These remarkable objects were not limited to the wealthy; they were also placed in sanctuaries and tombs, creating fantastical environments reminiscent of later cabinets of curiosities. However, access to griffin cauldrons was reserved exclusively for elites, serving as a symbol of their status and privilege.

Nassos Papalexandrou, in his insightful work, explores the sensory encounter of this new visuality. By focusing on the spaces that fostered wondrous experiences, he demonstrates how they shaped novel subjectivities and social distinctions. The author argues that these spaces created a sense of awe and wonder, enabling individuals to perceive the world in new and transformative ways. The griffin cauldrons, with their lifelike representations and immersive environments, played a significant role in shaping the visual culture of preclassical antiquity, leaving a lasting impact on the artistic and cultural traditions of the Mediterranean world.

Dimension: 254 x 178 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477323618