Ancient Arts of Central Asia

Book excerpt: Nomadic, virtually forgotten tribes once flourished in the vast Central Asian plains stretching from the Black Sea to the Himalayas. Here, surrounded by three imposing civilizations of antiquity -- the Mediterranean world, India, and the Far East -- they created a distinctive art that is often the only remaining evidence of their existence. Tamara Talbot Rice has undertaken a careful regional and chronological survey of the artistic accomplishments of these Central Asian peoples. Beginning with prehistoric days and ending with the centuries that paralleled Europe's dark ages, Tamara Talbot Rice traces the development of their painting, sculpture, pottery, textiles, and architecture, distinguishing between the distinctive contributions of the Central Asians and their debt to the art of other civilizations. Mrs. Talbot Rice examines the Central Asian artistic legacy. In so doing, she provides a brilliant analysis of the art that evolved in that part of the world where Buddhist, Christian, and Moslem tradition converge. -- From publisher's description.