[MR] Treasures of Agfhanistan

[Richard Mowbray]

Went to 'Treasures..." on friday. Some truly beautiful objects. Hard to tell if the crossover artistry was from production in areas on the borders of diverse cultures or the wish to make trade goods that had a broad appeal.

Favorite items - 

the little golden ram, very exquisitly done. Wanted to take it home, but the guards wouldn't let me.

the gold bowl found in the grave of the steppe warrior. this was a truly beautiful and masterful work. Looked sort of like a bundt cake mold without the center hole. the simplicity was inspiring to think such amooth and even curves couls be made by hand, each repeated in perfection. Once again, the guards were no help with this piece...

I think some of the ornamental bowls and cups must have been made for funerary pieces. They were too thin for actual use. You could easily have crushed them by picking them up when full. I firmly believe that some archaeologists don't think "function" enough when they identify the use of a piece.

Well worth the trip.

Syr Richard