Semiotical Analysis of the Motifs on the Golden Goblts of Marlik

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Asistant Professor, Faculty of Art Research, Islamic Azad University of Qaemshahr

2 M.A. Student, Faculty of Art Research, Islamic Azad University of Qaemshahr

Abstract

he archaeological value of Marlik goblets -which were found near Roudbar in Gilan province in 1340- is known widely. The metalworking art shown in these pieces speaks of their makers ingenuity. Unfortunately in the studies done on these cups not much attention was paid to their designs. Since these designs have many pictorial codes, they are suitable cases for study from different artistic points of view. Therefor in this study two goblets- the winged cow and the legend of life- were chosen in order to identify their designs and images, introduced and read with semiotical perspective. This study was done by descriptive-analytic method and looks for an answer to the question that what does the codes in these two goblets actually mean. Therefor at first these two  goblets were introduced, their images were identified and then the motifs are decoded. The results in this study indicates that The two goblets are abstract and show signs of the other world. In the winged cow goblet(cow and lotus) and in the legend of life goblet (palm tree) all signs are of sacredness. In the winged cow goblet (lotus) and in the legend of life goblet( tale of birth to death) both show sign of creation and the afterlife, also in both goblets there were signs of the belief in life after death. In the legend of life the dominance of sensual and materialistic forces and the human part in this cycle are shown. And in the winged cow goblet the dominance of spiritual forces in order to ascent in shown.
 

Keywords

Journal of Applied Arts
Volume 04, VOL.7
July 2016
Pages 45-54

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 November 2015
  • Revise Date: 19 July 2017
  • Accept Date: 29 February 2016

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