LAUFER, THE DECORATIVE ART OF THE AMUR TRIBES. l I 



bands are so intertwined as to forma circle within the rhombus. The ornamenta 

 tion on the handle of Fig. 4 is made up of a pair of cords or lacings, one simply 

 thrown over the other a short distance from either end, which form at the centre 

 two contiguous ellipses. In Fig. 5 the same principle of the band-ornament is 

 employed as in Fig. i. In each of the two ellipses formed by the band-ornament 

 are two peculiar designs which happen to look very much like old Assyrian cunei 

 forms. On Fig. 7 are three bands artistically twisted. One band runs along both 

 sides of the handle, bending at the centre into two contiguous curves ; the second 

 band forms a rhombus in the middle ; and the third intertwines with the first, and 

 then continues in the direction of the bowl. The middle part of the handle of 

 Fig. 8 is occupied by two bands interlaced with each other and closed at both 

 ends. They are joined by a short double band at each end for the purpose of 

 rounding off the ornament. The spoon in Fig. 9 is ornamented in a style similar 

 to that in Fig. 3 ; the small rhombuses in the interstices also occur. The handle 

 of Fig. 10 represents two double bands arranged in a manner similar to those on 

 Fig. 4. They are interrupted in the centre, however, by a different figure. This 

 ornament, which is also to be seen at the extremity of the handle of Fig. 8, 

 occurs frequently in later examples in connection with the spiral. 



The decoration represented on the ladle Fig. n, Plate n, is likewise com 

 posed of the band-ornament, but it differs from the designs hitherto explained in 

 that the band is indicated at two places only once in the middle and again at the 

 end by short connecting lines, and that the negative parts, between which one 

 has to look sharply to discover the band, are more prominent (cf. Figs. 4-6, 

 Plate iv). 



Figs. 12 and 13, Plate IT, illustrate spoons of Goldian origin. The former 

 represents the handle of a large fish-ladle ; the latter, that of a spoon for eating. 

 In the fillet on the Goldian spoons the pure and rigid forms of the Gilyak are not 

 adhered to, and much less space is required for it, as it alternates with spiral- 

 ornaments. Fig. 14 shows a pair of chopsticks, a mere imitation, of course, of 

 Chinese-Japanese work, which are interesting here because they show an incised 

 crescent at their ends, and terminate in movable pieces, as in Fig. 6. The dec 

 oration on the handle consists of short parallel converging lines which meet in 

 acute angles. Chopsticks are used but seldom, and only by such of the wealthy 

 and noble as lay great stress on etiquette and are fond of imitating foreign cus 

 toms. The most common method of eating is to use one s fingers, and finally to 

 lick the plate with the tongue. 



SPIRALS. We shall now enter into an examination of the kinds of spirals to 

 be found in this sphere of artistry, and discuss a series of objects on which they 

 occur. 



Fig. i, Plate TIT, represents an eye-protector, which is tied with a string 

 around the forehead, and shades the eyes from the snow in sledge-driving. It is 

 especially worn during the transition period between winter and spring, when the 

 snow begins to melt. It is made of cloth, and has a simple spiral-ornament 



