ORIGIN OF LINEAR ORNAMENT. 



455 



beeii copied literally, tbe spiral appearing in its proper place. A spec- 

 imen is illustrated in Fig. 475 b which, although simple and highly con- 

 ventionalized, still retains the spiral figure. 



In another example we have four of the noded apexes placed about 

 the rim of the vessel, as shown in Fig. 47C«, the conception being that 

 of four conch shells united in one vessel, the bases being turned inward 

 and the apexes outward. Now it is only necessary to suppose the addi- 

 tion of tbe spiral lines, always associated with the nodes, to have the 

 result shown in b, and by a still higher degree of convention we have 



Fig. 476. — Possible derivation of the current scroll. 



the classic scroll ornament given in c. Of course, no such result as this 

 could come about adventitiously, as successful combination calls for the 

 exercise of judgment and taste ; but the initiatory steps could be taken — 

 the motive could enter art — without the conscious supervision of the 

 human agent. 



SUGGESTIONS BY FEATURES OF ARTIFICIAL OBJECTS. 



Functional features. — Functional features of art products liable to in- 

 fluence ornament comprise handles, legs, feet, rims, bands, and other 

 peculiarities of shape originating in utility. Handles, for instance, may 

 have been indigenous to a number of arts; they are coeval and coex- 

 tensive with culture. The first load, weapon, or vessel transported by 

 man may have been suspended by a vine or filament. Such arts as have 

 fallen heir to handles have used them according to the capacities of the 

 material employed. Of all the materials stone is probably the least 

 suited to their successful use, while clay utilizes them in its own peculiar 



Fig. 477. — Ornament derived through the modification of handles. 



way, giving to them a great variety of expression. They are copied in 

 clay from various models, but owing to the inadequate capacities of the 

 material, often lose their function and degenerate into mere ornaments, 

 which are modified as such to please the potter's fancy. Thus, for ex- 

 ample, the series of handles placed about the neck of the vessel become, 



