Sunday, April 27, 2008

Susa Beasties

All of the following photos are from the Temple of Darius. I got it wrong in yesterday's post: The Temple of Darius is Persian, not Babylonian. Wrong empire, wrong era. D'oh. Definitely see a continuation of motifs though, such as tilework lions. These two have unfortunately lost a lot of their color.


I LOVE these four winged lions with the curved horns. So incredible:








I'm not sure what to call this one. Doubt it's a winged unicorn, but that's what springs to mind:

18 comments:

Joyce said...

Beautiful. They'd make an amazing applique if a person were into applique. I've been to the Louvre a few times but we always seem to end up in the oil paintings. Nice to see a different part.

jovaliquilts said...

Pit that winged unicorn against one of those horned lions and it would look like a battle of good against evil, but I don't think they thought that way. Some of those horns and faces look like they belong on Chinese dragons.

Donna said...

looking at todays' photos of mythical creatures got me wondering if you'd tried making wonky pieced creatures? I'm sure you could make some neat wings and lions...

Nancy said...

It looks like those winged, horned lions also have seven toes...isn't that interesting?

Kristin L said...

I am so in love with the color combinations from these last two posts. Pale blue/turquoise and browned butter. It's so modern and fresh looking -- which defies it's ancient faded-ness. I want to go redecorate my bedroom now (a winged unicorn would make a great headboard).

Clare said...

7 toes and 2 noses?

They are so beautiful.

jude said...

these are great! and they are already patchwork!

*karendianne. said...

Ton, these are amazing. I love the winged lions with the curved horns as well.

What a feast for the eyes AND SPIRIT. I could soak up that whole vibe!

Great Share!

Nines said...

"I walked to the Louvre." How surreal your world seems to me!

I love the "quilting" around the eyes on those lions! Such interesting textures. And the blue is gorgeous.

Ms. Jan said...

Tonya, I love your pictures--thanks so much for sharing them!

Sharon said...

Thank you for another wonderful peek into the Louvre. I could spend a week in there! I only got about 3 hours when we visited Paris - didn't even begin to scratch the surface! How wonderful for you that you get to explore it in depth.
I love the multi-toes on those lions! And the lions at the top of the post still have an amazing strength to them. Hard to believe that they're so old, and still such powerful images. I wonder how intense those colors were when they were new?? Great post, Ton! Thanks!!

Sandy's Quilter's Block said...

Wow, these are amazing, Ton! Is there a new work of art in the future from these wonderful photos? Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I absolutely love the colors and shading in these photos. I know they're "faded" but for me that only enhances their beauty. And like Jude said, they're already patchwork! Just fabulous...I could sit and gaze at these for hours...

atet said...

Beautiful photos and subject! Thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

these are wonderfully inspiring......thank you for sharing.....I love there faces and horns especially.

jmb_craftypickle said...

These are great (as was the previous post). My son walked by as I was scrolling through and exclaimed "MOM! We have GOT to go there!" Wow, the Louve with a 5 year old...maybe. Thanks for sharing, now when I do go I can know where the cool stuff is.

Sarah said...

Thanks for taking and sharing your photos of these beautiful Persian items. They've got a great collection at the British Museum in London - they're just sooooo big.

Tracy Hopkins said...

I'm seeing a trapunto quilt here with a grey patchwork top, watercolored somehow to get the nice faded colors. Yeah, I'll run home and get right on that...