terra cotta

Examples of terra cotta in the following topics:

• Sculpture of the Nok

  • Two of the best examples of ancient terra cotta sculptures are from the Nok culture in Nigeria and from an ancient culture living near Lydenburg, South Africa.
  • The Nok culture was considered to be the earliest sub-Saharan producer of life-sized terra cotta sculptures.
  • The Lydenburg Heads (400-500 CE) are terra cotta sculptures similar to those of the Nok culture, taking the form of human heads.
  • Terra cotta.
  • Compare the ancient terra cotta sculptures from the Nok culture in Nigeria to those found near present-day Lydenburg, South Africa

• Etruscan Sculpture

  • Archaic Etruscan art often includes terra cotta statues that are stylistically and aesthetically Etruscan but influenced by Greek art.
  • Instead, many surviving examples of Etruscan sculpture are in terra cotta, or earthenware clay that has been fired in a kiln.
  • Working with terra cotta was a means of additive sculpture.
  • The sarcophagus displays not only the Etruscan Archaic style but also Etruscan skill in working with terra cotta.
  • First, their faces are the same and in fact were most likely created from the same mold, a technique common in Etruscan terra cotta sculpture.

• Etruscan Temples

  • Today only the foundations and terra cotta decorations of Etruscan temples remain, since the temples themselves were primarily built of wood and mud brick that eroded and degraded over time.
  • Terra cotta roof tiles protected the organic material and increased the longevity and integrity of the building.
  • The wooden roof had a low pitch and was covered by a protective layer of terra cotta tiles.
  • These flat ornaments were usually made of terra cotta from a mold, and were sometimes made of stone.
  • Instead, they placed terra cotta statues called akroteria along the roof's ridge pool and on the peaks and edges of the pediment.

• Mycenaean Ceramics

  • Small terra cotta figurines and statuettes are found throughout Mycenaean grave sites and cities.
  • They can be made of precious materials, such as gold or silver, but may also made of terra cotta.
  • Terra cotta. c. 13th c.

• Etruscan Art under the Influence of the Romans

  • Charun and Vanth also appear on stone and terra cotta sarcophagi.
  • The man lies alone, wearing a somber expression, unlike the earlier terra cotta Sacophagus of the Spouses.
  • Although Roman pediments remained free of sculpture groups, Roman influence is clearly visible in these terra cotta figures.
  • Terra cotta.
  • Terra cotta.

• Ile-Ife and Benin Sculpture

  • Stone and terra cotta artwork were also common in Ife.
  • Prince referred to the terra cotta artists of 900 CE as the founders of art guilds, cultural schools of philosophy, which can be likened to many of Europe's old institutions of learning.
  • Typically made from bronze, brass, clay, ivory, terra cotta or wood, most art was produced at the court of the Oba (king) and was used to illustrate achievements of the empire or to narrate mythical stories.
  • These commemorative objects were made of brass, wood, terra cotta, or clay depending on the patron's hierarchical ranking.

• The Modern Era

  • Zellige is terra cotta tilework covered with enamel in the form of chips set into plaster.

• Sculpture of the Cyclades

  • Examples include terra cotta figurines of bovine animals (possibly oxen or bulls) dating to 2200-2000 BCE and small, flat sculptures resembling female figures shaped like violins dating to the Grotta-Pelos culture, also known as Early Cycladic I (c. 3300-2700 BCE).

• Modeling

  • After the modeling process has taken place, these clays are baked at very high temperatures in a process known as 'firing' to create ceramics such as terra cotta, earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.

• Chicago School of Architecture

  • One of the distinguishing features of the Chicago School is the use of steel-frame buildings with masonry cladding (usually terra cotta), allowing large plate-glass window areas and limiting the amount of exterior ornamentation.