Development in the direction of relief ornament in primitive pottery is indicated in the decoration consisting of incrusted pellets and slithers of clay.
There is ample evidence that human appreciation and desire for expression in art is natural and instinctive, as is demonstrated by the marvellous work of the Paleolithic etchers and bone carvers, who may well be considered the first impressionists.
They could have only studied many of their subjects at a respectful distance, and this adds to the merit of the successful embodiment of characteristics.
The work is invariably realistic, that is, imitative of natural form, and is evidence of insight and appreciation that for the time and working condition is quite extraordinary, and is in distinct contrast with the earlier ornament, which is not in any way imitative of, or traceable to, any natural suggestion.
On investigation it will be found that artistic expression has generally three phases; the first where purely inorganic details are employed such as directly arise from the process and material involved.
The second phase is realistic or imitative of natural form, and the third--conventional, where the details are probably derived from natural suggestion but are treated with restraint; the last being the result of cultured appreciation of process and æsthetic considerations.
It is essential to assume that originally it was customary to personally produce whatever was considered necessary in the way of pottery or weapons, but that eventually certain workers would devote themselves more or less exclusively to producing for the community, being compensated by immunity from other labour, and that this developed in course of time into patronage, and the producer being entirely supported by his craft.
Appreciation from would-be possessors stimulated
C. Sepulchral remains, Nilgiri Hills, Sth. India.
D. Jug, German sepulchral mounds, Bronze Age.
E. Sepulchral remains, Nilgiri Hills, Sth. India.
G. Cinerary Urn, Barrow, Bloxworth Down, Dorset.
H. Food Vessel, sepulchral mounds, earliest Bronze Age, Ireland. ]
No. 2. A. B. Palaeolithic Bone Carvings. C. Etching on Bone. ]
the primitive craftsmen who, in proportion to their individual skill, would be rewarded, and this naturally led to the establishment of the professional worker and artist.