Art had two main functions:Religious and Warlike. Archaeological remains indicate that this people lived in the area currently occupied by France and western Germany at the end of the Bronze Age, around 1200 B.C. This bronze helmet (above center) likely belonged to a high-ranking Celtic warrior. The hollow horns were made with reinforced bronze blades; the helmet was used in parades and not in battles. The scabbard (the third object on the left), also made with reinforced bronze blades, was sheathed in birch bark.
In religion it was present in paintings and sculptures used to scare away evil spirits or to revere Nature and its gods. Usually it was the thresholds of the houses that displayed the artistic objects. Already in the war, art was in the decoration of swords, shields, helmets, etc.
Most Celtic art is decorated with abstract designs. The undulating shape engraved on this pot found in Maiden Castle, a large Celtic fort in Dorset, is a clear example of this practice.
History
Celtic art was influenced by the surrounding peoples such as the Greeks, Etruscans, Persians and even the Romans. This does not mean that Celtic art did not have a special place in the history of art, as it is currently considered the first non-Mediterranean contribution to European art. Even themes borrowed from Greco-Roman art underwent “re-readings”. Celtic art was important in that it developed a style all its own, which was often opposed to the classicism of Rome and Greece. In other words, the Celts anticipated by several centuries the artistic currents that proposed to innovate the art considered as official.
Celtic art is divided into two periods (as well as the history of civilization itself):Hallstat and La Tène. The artistic blossoming took place in the Latenian period, where the Celtic style spread and became integrated with the artistic expressions of the time.
Characteristics
As has been said, Celtic art innovated the arts. This is due to an extremely peculiar style.
There was a great preference for themes related to nature:trees, flowers, animals and zoomorphic supernatural beings. Such themes were more common than human figures, however, these also existed.
The “Celtic style” preferred compasses, which untwisted and composed figures filled with spirals, ellipses and other intertwined curvilinear shapes, and sometimes concentrically arranged, to form almost abstract representations.
Music
Meaning
The Celts have always been closely linked to religion, and like almost all expressions of their culture, music was also closely related to religious themes. So much so that the musicians were – for the most part – linked to the priestly class of the Druids.
Music or, more precisely, the playing of instruments was considered a manifestation of the spirit world. Thus, the musician was a privileged being, as his faculties allowed him to capture small manifestations of the Other World, and in this way, he translated what he absorbed into music.
Precisely for this reason, it is common for Celtic musical themes to be linked to what they most respected:Nature. A forest, the breeze, the dawn, the autumn – or any other season – in short, each small movement of Nature carries a sound, and it was the musician's job to feel it and translate it into music.
With the advent of Christianity in the Celtic world, all this connotation between religion and music, in a way, was lost. However, the “motives linked to Nature” remained alive, and are still present in the work of contemporary singers and instrumentalists.
Instruments
Celtic instruments are all very characteristic, this is because Irish folk music has retained strong traces of Celtic music. And through this rich and unique heritage, Ireland bequeaths to the world splendid sounds, all with a unique and incomparable style.
The silver vessel known as the Gundestrup Cauldron constitutes one of the most enigmatic remains of the Celtic world. Decorated in high relief, it features scenes that offer insight into Celtic myth and religion, although its precise meaning remains hidden. The figures depicted were originally covered with gold leaf and had blue and red crystal eyes.
Alright, another mental exercise. Think of Ireland, think of Irish music. What instruments come to mind? I think many will respond to the harp or the flute. Now, think of Scottish music. What is the first instrument you imagine a Scotsman playing? Most will certainly say the Bagpipes.
The characteristics of Celtic musicality were absorbed by world culture, therefore, the vast majority of people have, even if vague, an idea about what was – or rather – what is the music and instruments that were present in ancestral folklore.
In addition to the flute, harp and bagpipes, which have already been mentioned, there is still an important instrument – percussion – called Bodhran. After the proper introductions, let's get to know a little more about these instruments.
Flute – The flute is an instrument that throughout history has known numerous variations, including one of the variations known as the Celtic flute or Feadan. This type of flute belongs to the class of billed flutes (as opposed to transverse flutes).
In musical compositions from or inspired by Celtic folklore, it is easy to see the importance of the flute, being an instrument that provides identity to music through a rhythm found only in this style of musical composition.
Harp – The presence of the harp in Celtic culture is undeniable, so much so that Ireland made this instrument one of its national symbols.
This stringed instrument is quite old, it appeared in Africa around 2000 BC, however, the best known model – called the triangular model – appeared in the 9th century in Europe. Over the years, two variations of this same model emerged, one of which became known as the Irish or Celtic harp. This particular type of harp, whose Gaelic name is Clasrsach, is distinguished by its curved spine and its seven ditals or levers that are pressed with the fingers to change the tuning of the strings.
In Celtic society, harpists were considered privileged people for having the gift of playing this instrument.
Bagpipes – The origin of this instrument is debatable. It is believed to have originated in Asia and the Romans took it to Scotland, where it took root and became a national symbol.
In this wind instrument, the air is retained in a bag – called a wineskin – and, later, it is directed to the outlet tubes provided with reeds.
Bodhran – The bodhran is a rather peculiar instrument in Celtic music. It is a kind of drum, where the hide of some animal is stretched over a wooden bow. Traditionally, the raw material of the bow is the ash trunk (a yellowish and hard wood tree, common in Europe) and the covering is made with tanned goat, deer or calf skin.
This instrument, also known as the Irish drum, can be played with the hands or sticks.