Celtic Art

Celtic Art is widely admired by people of today and times long past. History, art, and Celtic culture are the three things I absolutely love. Today, many people associate Celtic art with simply Knotwork and Illumination, but there is so much more!

Often today, people think of Celtic art as mostly Knotwork. However, Knotwork was originally more Germanic, brought to Celtic lands by the Saxons and Vikings. Knotwork did not appear in Celtic culture until around the 500s CE, after the start of converting the pagan Celts to Christianity and Saxon invasions. Knotwork is prevalent in ancient Scandinavian art. As the Celts were geographically close to Scandinavian countries and endured Viking invasions, it is more than reasonable to understand how the two cultures would influence each other artistically. To me, pure Celtic art is the styles from before any invaders influenced Celtic style. However, today Knotwork is known only as Celtic and as the Celtic art by most.

My personal favorite is art from the Le Tene period. The Le Tene period of Celtic art started in the sixth century BCE and lasted until the Roman conquest. This also happens to be my preferred time of Celtic history in general. Le Tene is named after the spot in which the first artifact of its style was found. This style of Celtic art is comprised of mostly spirals and animal designs inlaid with coral, stone, or enamel. It is found on personal items, weaponry, and vessels. Actually, nearly everything was decorated as the Celts took great pride in their appearance and showing their wealth. In fact, artisans were among the privileged class during this time in Celtic history. Hallstatt art is also art of great beauty. I am always amazed by the detail and near perfection displayed in ancient Celtic art. Both the Le Tene and Hallstatt periods are considered prehistoric. As a prehistoric society, the Celts of the Bronze and Iron Ages created amazing pieces of work. It is astounding to consider what an ancient artisan would have to go through to create such a piece of art.

Regardless of one’s own personal preference, there is a ton of art produced by the Celts to appreciate and new artwork is being created all the time by modern Celts. Celtic art is something that just about everyone loves regardless of heritage.

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