What is Celtic
Celtic art
,
has two distinctive styles.
One is the naturalistic, the seven created beings of the Celtic world, plant, insects, fish, reptile, birds, mammal and man. The other is geometric, spirals, knots, zigzag, diamonds, overlapping, flowing lines and decorative patterns, to attain connectedness and continuity in otherwise empty spaces. Altogether their art has a wonderful balance, rhythm and proportion, but, at the same time it is always appropriate, applied with restraint, never over done.
At first glance you just see an intricate design, but, as your eye takes it's journey inside, you find bending, biting, and intertwining forms, full of fancy and imagination. These colorful forms easily transcend from religious, into interesting, unique art forms, to wear and decorate your home.
Book of Kells, Illuminations
One of the most beautiful and lavishly decorated illuminated Manuscripts. Believed to have been created by Druid monks in a monastery in the town of Kells, between the seventh and the ninth centuries. The book now resides in Dublin at Trinity College, where it has gradually assumed a new role as an art object.
Lindisfarne Manuscript
Famous for the superb quality and amazingly intricate designs of its decorative pages. The manuscript was executed in the monastery of Lindisfarne, at the end of the 7th century, on Holy Island, off the coast of modern day Northumberland. One of the most beautiful manuscripts, second only to the Book of Kells, as a historical study of Celtic art.
Ancient Stone Crosses, Stone Churches, Bronze Jewelry
Designs are also found on ancient stone crosses, stone churches and bronze jewelry, where tiny flecks of Paint have been found left behind from this period showing that they were very colorful.