http://www.adamsavenuedesign.com/wall-relief/
Add Dimension To Your Walls With Ancient Wall Reliefs
I visited a friend recently and, though I don't usually notice, I was fascinated by his decor. The style is something called steam punk, a sort of futuristic Victorian, which sounded like it came straight from Jules Verne, a sort of Captain Nemo meets Robur the Conqueror, all shining brass, leather, futuristic technology, and clockwork. My friend's version was a lot more 'Indiana Jones', with his steamer trunk table, collection of interesting artifacts, statues and intriguing ancient wall reliefs. It went with his home, originally built in the 1920's and created a warm, interesting interior well suited to his huge collection of books.
My home is rather more modern, so when I thought about ways of furnishing my den (something I was told was 'up to me') I rejected the steam punk idea. While I'm no interior designer I can see that a certain harmony between interior and exterior is useful. While modern homes are spacious they can be really bland, then I realized this gave me more scope to stamp my own personality on the room, and that thought gave me the idea to use wall art and wall sculptures to give my room some character, but what to choose?
Ancient Greek buildings were not what we see today. Most people realize that they were beautiful buildings which stood, in many cases for centuries, before taking the damage we see now, but did you know that they were colorful? You wouldn't think so to look at the remains in a museum. I used to eat my lunchtime sandwiches while admiring the huge Assyrians gateways in the British Museum in London, just along from room 18, the home of the 'Elgin marbles'. These famous sculptures were removed from the Parthenon in the first years of the 19th century by the Earl of Elgin, the Greek government is still trying to get them back. The sculptures are stark, white and very beautiful, exactly what we think of when we think 'classical art' but what would the ancients have thought of them? Euripides give us a clue in his play 'Helen of Troy' when Helen says 'If only I could shed my beauty and assume an uglier aspect, the way you wipe paint off a statue'. Those stunning marble statues in their gleaming white were once bright and multi-colored. So different from what we see now and associate with the ancient world, that it's really difficult to imagine.
We view the ancient gods as abstract, the result is that ancient wall sculptures like Poseidon in his chariot are 'classical' and perfectly at home in a modern room. It was only at the Renaissance that, finding classical statues stripped of their color by time, the sculptors believed they had originally been white marble, and set out to emulate them. In antiquity the Greeks believed in living breathing Gods;their statues were painted brightly to reflect that. While we admire the amazing craftsmanship of the Parthenon sculptures the ancients admired their lifelike quality so much so that it was said that at certain times of the day it was as though the gods in their friezes actually moved. The sculpture and paint techniques were designed to come together and enhance the three dimensional quality or the stone, bringing the subject to life. Archaeologist Vinzenz Brinkmann is working hard to analyse ancient statues and create authentic reproductions. These, complete with complex paint techniques and pigments are as close as possible to those used in ancient times and the results are fascinating; the ancient world will never seem the same again.
So what should I do? I could decide on classical white wall reliefs and create a modern room, making my choice on a basis of symbolism. Hercules wrestling the lion could remind me that even when my todo list is a bit long, it's not the Labours of Hercules, while Dionysus on a donkey would remind me that the point of work is to fund the fun to come. As an inhabitant of the New World I could turn to Mayan wall reliefs,
but I think my choice will be more ancient still. From Ramses who drove out the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh, to the concept of Maat, goddess of justice and order, the wall sculptures of the Ancient Egyptians hold an endless fascination. We are more accustomed to color when it comes to Egypt, and hence see these more as they really were, bold and brilliant in the desert sun. So there was my choice, Egyptian decor
.
For my Den my primary choice is obvious; Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, to keep me right at all times!
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About the Author
On a quest for the perfect spot online to find a huge selection of ancient art? Find a museum gift that's sure to bring beauty and splendor to any home at Your Museum Store.
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How To Hang a Wall Relief
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Sculpture , sculpture relief , wall hanging art ,metal sculpture , wire mask , $119.00 |
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A really happy wall hanging! "Live" in relief and great colors $10.00 |
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Vtg WOODEN Wall Plaque Picture Bottle of wine glass Raised Relief 10 x 5 1/2 in $6.00 |
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Theodore Roosevelt cast iron head in profile Bas Relief wall hanging, Vintage $19.99 |
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WIZARD OF OZ~1995 Enesco 3D Wall Plaque~Bas Relief Figure~Sculpture Plate~MIB $34.99 |
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SCIPIO the ELDER ROMAN GENERAL Artistic Wall Relief $78.00 |
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SCIPIO the ELDER ROMAN GENERAL Artistic Wall Relief $75.00 |
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African Leopards Lair Sculpture Wall Frieze Relief Plq $169.00 |
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SAINT CECILIA Patron Saint of Music Art Wall Relief $75.00 |
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SAINT CECILIA Patron Saint of Music Art Wall Relief $80.00 |
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PERSEPHONE Art Wall Relief $50.00 |
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Last Supper Bas-Relief Spiritual Inspirational Wall Plaque Religious Collectible $29.95 |
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African Sahara Cheetah Sculpture Wall Frieze Relief $159.00 |
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Antique Chinese Camphor Wood Carving 1 Plank Ceiling Wall Relief Fu Dog Zhejiang $6,800.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL COLOR PLAQUE RELIEF -GODDESS OSIRIS $41.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL COLOR PLAQUE /RELIEF - ANKH SYMBOL $31.00 |
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Brown Trout chainsaw wood carving fish Decoy Wall Mount Relief Art $19.95 |
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Set of 5 Tin Relief Wall Hangings + Copper Music Masters Brahms Chopin Beethoven $9.99 |
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Largemouth Bass chainsaw wood carving fish Decoy Wall Mount Relief Art $19.95 |
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L Chirico 3D Sterling relief 3D Sculpture Wall Art w/Water Wheel Gold Covered $250.00 |
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Cliff Dwelling 3-D RELIEF Native American Painting Wall Art Signed Wess $30.00 |
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The HEART is a FLOWER Thai Hand Carved & Painted TEAK WOOD ART Relief Wall Panel $102.98 |
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World & Model Relief 34806 Wallpaper Wall Panels dollhouse 1/12 scale miniature $11.25 |
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World & Model Relief 34805 Wallpaper Wall Panels dollhouse 1/12 scale miniature $11.25 |
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FAB VTG NIFTY 1950 BISQUE PORCELAIN BAS RELIEF MAN WOMAN WALL PLAQUES MADE JAPAN $39.95 |
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SWEET FRANGIPANI 15" Bali HANDCARVED Wood RELIEF Wall PANEL Novica ARTIST SIGNED $49.38 |
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2 Antique Bisque Sage Green Jasperware Cherub Raised Relief Wall Plaques w/gold $59.99 |
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RAMA & SITA HINDU Wood Wall Sculpture RELIEF PANEL 28" Hand Carved $259.95 |
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WILD ORCHIDS 15" Bali HAND CARVED Wood RELIEF Wall PANE $62.26 |
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Borobudur Relief Stone Wall Art $50.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL COLOR PLAQUE/RELIEF - SMALL ANUBIS $27.50 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WEIGHING OF THE HEART WALL PLAQUE RELIEF $35.00 |
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ALIENS LOT WALL RELIEF X2 SWARM PACK MINI 2-PACK SOTA TOYS THK TOYS $40.40 |
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LAST SUPPER RELIEF HANGING WALL ART PLAQUE COLLECTIBLE $5.87 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL STONE PLAQUE RELIEF - GODDESS HORUS $35.00 |
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EGYPTIAN ANKH GOLD AND COLOR WALL PLAQUE RELIEF *NEW $31.00 |
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Art Deco Machine Age Bas-Relief Copper Wall Sculptures Cubist Modern Eames 1940s $899.00 |
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EGYPTIAN COLOR WALL PLAQUE RELIEF-THREE FEMALE MUSICIAN $94.00 |
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ANCIENT EGYPTIAN/EGYPT COLOR WALL RELIEF - HATHOR *NEW $28.50 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL STONE PLAQUE RELIEF -GODDESS ANUBIS $35.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL PLAQUE / RELIEF - RECLINING ANUBIS $37.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL COLOR PLAQUE RELIEF-GODDESS SEKHMET $41.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL STONE PLAQUE RELIEF - GODDESS ISIS $35.00 |
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Original "Mother With Child" Copper Relief Sculpture Wall Art Wooden Plaque PERU $30.00 |
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Sweet Lotus Flowers~~Handcrafted Suar Wood Relief Panel Wall Sculpture~~NOVICA $62.96 |
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Signed Vitaleh Roman Goddess Bas Relief Wall mount Bronze Sculpture Art Deco $374.25 |
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ARTEMIS GODDESS OF NATURE terracotta relief wall plaque ancient replica $13.22 |
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Vintage Bulgarian Relief Wall Hanging Copper Plate $49.99 |
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NATURES WISDOM FAUX STONE CARVED RELIEF WALL PLAQUE $4.87 |
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VINTAGE EXQUISITE WALL PLAQUE OF ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS IN RELIEF $7.95 |
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Royal Copenhagen Wall Disc Plaque Low Relief Sculpture Classical Greek $14.00 |
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ASSYRIAN EAGLE HEADED SPIRIT WALL RELIEF/PLAQUE *NICE $78.00 |
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OLD BAVARIA STONEWARE MUNICH RELIEF WALL PLATE GERZ $24.49 |
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Pentair Letro E25 Wall Fitting Pressure Relief Valve $15.99 |
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Egyptian ISIS Wall Relief/Plaque Made In Egypt for Collectibles $99.00 |
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VIRGIN MARY & JESUS ~Carved Wood Relief Sculpture Christian Wall Art Carving $137.91 |
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CHRISTIAN ART - IRISH CROSS WALL PLAQUE RELIEF *DETAIL $35.00 |
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ARCHANGEL GABRIEL SOUNDING THE TRUMPET WALL RELIEF *WOW $45.00 |
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PREDATOR WALL RELIEF SET OF 2 SOTA AVP X PLUS NEW SEALED IN PACKAGING $26.95 |
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Antique German Pewter Wall Plaque Hunting Dog in Relief Artist Signed $110.00 |
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VTG MID CENTURY DON QUIXOTE CARVED WOOD PANEL RELIEF ART PLAQUE WALL SCULPTURE $245.00 |
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Octopus Relief Wall Sculpture Artist by Blase Kirby $225.00 |
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Signed Vitaleh Roman Goddess Bas Relief Wall mount Bronze Sculpture Art Deco $149.00 |
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Sail Fish Relief Wall Sculpture Artist by Blase Kirby $225.00 |
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HOLY FAMILY Handcarved CEDAR Relief BABY JESUS Wall Panel BRONZE HALOS Giftwrap $170.96 |
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Dinosaur T-Rex Fossil Relief Wall Sculpture Artist by Blase Kirby $225.00 |
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Angel Walk~Deva Hand Carved Teakwood Relief Wall Panel~ $71.96 |
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BLOSSOM PRAYER Teakwood Relief Wall Panel Sculpture Tha $89.96 |
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MADONNA & CHILD Peru Hand Carved Sculpture Cedar RELIEF Wall PANEL w/BRONZE LEAF $169.16 |
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ANCIENT EGYPTIAN WINGED ISIS STONE WALL PLAQUE RELIEF $63.00 |
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SM Vintage Porcelain Wall Plaque w/ Boy and a Rabbit in Raised Relief $6.99 |
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Toucan Tropical Bird Relief Wall Sculpture Artist by Blase Kirby $225.00 |
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Grouper Fish Relief Wall Sculpture Artist by Blase Kirby $225.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL COLOR PLAQUE RELIEF - GODDESS ISIS $41.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT COLOR WALL RELIEF -GODDESS ISIS STANDING $108.00 |
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EGYPTIAN WALL PLAQUE / RELIEF - AN OFFERING TO AMUN-RA $28.00 |
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EGYPTIAN/EGYPT WALL STONE PLAQUE RELIEF -GODDESS OSIRIS $35.00 |
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Unique Wax Candle Wall Wood Relief Plaque 19th Century Town Scene Man Woman $50.00 |
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Vintage Signed John CHAPMAN Bossons Relief Chalkware Wall Plate English COTTAGE $29.74 |
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FLORAL STAR Thai ARTIST's Hand Carved TEAK WOOD Relief Wall Panel NOVICA $98.88 |
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GREEK ART - MASK OF PAN WALL RELIEF/PLAQUE *BEAUTIFUL $52.00 |
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PRE-COLUMBIAN ART - MAYA CALENDAR ROUND WALL RELIEF $49.00 |
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Zinn Becker Pewter Relief Medallion Wall Decor Hamburg Germany Europe $49.99 |
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Wall decoration Panel Lizard Gecko Relief CARVING WOOD Art Home Decor $9.99 |
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Wall decoration Panel Lizard Gecko Relief CARVING WOOD Art Home BlackTail Yellow $9.99 |
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Dragon Relief Wall decoration Panel CARVING WOOD Art Home Blue $17.99 |
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1985 USSR soviet wall bas-relief Marshal Georgy ZHUKOV ЖУКОВ cast iron RARE $38.00 |
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CELTIC ART -HIGH CELTIC CROSS OF MUIREADACH WALL RELIEF $35.00 |
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PRE-COLUMBIAN MAYA VISION SERPENT SMALL WALL RELIEF $30.50 |
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CELTIC ART - CELTIC CROSS OF CUPPLIN WALL RELIEF *NICE $35.00 |
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Spanish Sculptured Art Relief Wall Hanging Woman Under a Palm Tree by the Beach $49.00 |
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1950-60s USSR desk/wall bas-relief of Maxim GORKY comrade of LENIN STALIN $7.00 |
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ELEPHANTS Sculpted Carved Wood LOOK Wall Relief Décor $38.00 |
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Greek Amazon Warriors Ἀμαζόνες. Wall mountable sculpture statue bas-relief 7m. $2,040.99 |
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Italian Alabaster High Relief Madonna Wall Hanging $14.99 |
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VINTAGE PEWTER PLATED BAS RELIEF WALL PLAQUE of a STAG $199.00 |
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GREEK ART - POSEIDON STONE WALL RELIEF/PLAQUE *NICE $53.00 |
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EGYPTIAN COLOR WALL STONE RELIEF-THREE FEMALE MUSICIANS $47.00 |
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Vintage Deco Floral Relief Wall Hanging Brass Plaque $49.99 |
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Vintage Plaster Wall Hanging Plaque-Victorian Woman Relief-Black Copper Paint $24.99 |
