Glossary

What is Celtic Art?

Celtic art refers to the distinctive artistic traditions and styles associated with the ancient Celtic peoples, who inhabited a vast region of Europe, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, and parts of Continental Europe. Celtic art is characterized by its intricate designs, interlacing patterns, and symbolism. This glossary explores the key elements and concepts of Celtic art:

Celtic Knots: Celtic knots, also known as endless knots, are intricate patterns formed by interweaving lines or cords. They are characterized by their continuous loops and lack of a clear beginning or end. These knots are symbolic of eternity and the interconnectedness of life, representing themes such as love, friendship, and infinity.
Spirals: Spirals are fundamental motifs in Celtic art, often representing the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. They also symbolize cosmic forces and the interconnectedness of all things, reflecting the ancient Celts' deep connection to the natural world.
La Tène Style: The La Tène style is a distinctive phase of Celtic art that emerged around 450 BCE and is associated with the Celts of Central Europe. It features abstract and curvilinear designs, including motifs like triskeles, spirals, and stylized animal forms. This style is often seen in metalwork and jewelry.
Zoomorphic: Zoomorphic designs incorporate animal shapes and forms. These animals, such as birds, horses, and serpents, often carry symbolic meanings related to nature, power, and spirituality. Zoomorphic elements are commonly found in illuminated manuscripts, stone carvings, and metalwork.
Triskele: The triskele is a triple-spiral motif, consisting of three interconnected spirals or legs. It represents a wide range of triadic concepts, including land, sea, and sky, as well as life, death, and rebirth. The triskele is a potent symbol of unity and continuity.
Celtic Cross: The Celtic cross is a unique cross design featuring a circular ring that surrounds the intersection of the arms. This design merges Christian and Celtic symbolism, often seen in graveyards and religious settings. It symbolizes the fusion of Christian faith with Celtic heritage.
Interlace: Interlace is a hallmark of Celtic art, characterized by the weaving together of lines to create intricate, labyrinthine patterns. These designs can be incredibly complex and are commonly found in manuscripts, metalwork, and stone carvings.
Epona: Epona is a Celtic goddess associated with horses and fertility. Her depiction in Celtic art reflects themes of abundance and the sacred bond between humans and animals. Epona is often portrayed riding a horse and holding a cornucopia.
Triquetra: The triquetra is a three-pointed knot symbol often associated with the Holy Trinity in Christian Celtic contexts. It can also symbolize concepts like unity, life, death, and rebirth. Its three interconnected loops represent an eternal cycle.
Tara Brooch: The Tara Brooch is a renowned Celtic brooch dating back to the 8th century. It is celebrated for its intricate metalwork, featuring elaborate interlace patterns and precious gemstones. This brooch is a testament to the craftsmanship of the time.
Ogham Script: Ogham is an ancient Celtic writing system consisting of straight lines and notches carved on stone or wood. Each character represents a letter or concept, making it an essential part of Celtic inscriptions and art.
Champlevé Enamel: Champlevé enamel is a decorative technique used in Celtic metalwork. It involves creating compartments in metal objects and filling them with colored enamel. This technique adds vibrant colors to intricate designs.
Torc: A torc is a type of Celtic necklace or collar made from twisted metal wires. These beautiful and valuable ornaments were symbols of status and wealth, often featuring intricate designs.
Cauldron of Dagda: The Cauldron of Dagda is a mythical Celtic cauldron associated with the god Dagda. It symbolizes abundance and regeneration and is a recurring motif in Celtic art, representing the cycles of life.
Celtic Revival: The Celtic Revival was a cultural movement in the 19th and early 20th centuries that aimed to revive and celebrate Celtic art, culture, and heritage. This revival greatly influenced art, literature, and design during this period.
Pictish Stones: Pictish stones are large, engraved stones found in Scotland. They often feature intricate Celtic designs, including interlace patterns, animals, and symbols. These stones provide valuable insights into Pictish and Celtic history.
Celtic Warrior: Celtic warriors are a common theme in Celtic art, depicted with distinctive attire such as torcs, helmets, and elaborately decorated shields. These representations often symbolize courage, strength, and honor.
Celtic Music and Instruments: While not visual art, Celtic culture includes a rich musical tradition with instruments like the harp, bagpipes, and bodhrán. These musical elements contribute to the overall cultural expression of the Celts.
Druidic Symbols: Druids, the ancient Celtic priests, had their own symbols and rituals. Some of these symbols, such as the oak tree, were important components of Celtic art and culture, representing their spiritual beliefs.
Broighter Gold Collar: The Broighter Gold Collar is an ancient Celtic neck ornament discovered in Northern Ireland. It showcases intricate goldwork and is considered a masterpiece of Celtic craftsmanship.
Sheela-na-gig: Sheela-na-gigs are enigmatic female figurative carvings often found on medieval churches in Ireland and the UK. Their significance is still debated, but they are believed to symbolize fertility and protection.
Celtic Revival Jewelry: Celtic Revival jewelry is a genre of adornments inspired by Celtic art, featuring motifs like knots, spirals, and zoomorphic designs. This jewelry gained popularity during the Celtic Revival period.
Claddagh Ring: The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring featuring a heart, hands, and a crown. It symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship and is often exchanged as a token of affection.
Celtic Tattoos: Celtic tattoos are modern interpretations of Celtic art, often incorporating traditional symbols and motifs. These tattoos are popular for their intricate and meaningful designs, with each symbol carrying its own significance.
Shamrock: The shamrock, a three-leafed clover, is a symbol of Ireland. It is often used in Celtic art to represent the country and its cultural heritage. St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.
Celtic Myths and Legends: Celtic art is deeply influenced by the myths and legends of the Celtic people. These stories often feature supernatural beings, heroic quests, and elements of nature, providing rich sources of inspiration for artists.
Book of Kells: The Book of Kells is a famous illuminated manuscript created by Celtic monks around the 9th century. It is renowned for its intricate calligraphy and ornamentation, featuring vibrant colors and detailed illustrations.
Green Man: The Green Man is a mythical figure often depicted with a face made of foliage, such as leaves or vines. It symbolizes the spirit of nature and renewal and is commonly found in Celtic art and architecture.
Celtic Ceramics: Celtic pottery and ceramics often feature Celtic designs and motifs. These pieces are characterized by abstract patterns and earthy colors, reflecting the ancient Celts' connection to the land.
Celtic Artistry Today: Contemporary artists and craftsmen continue to draw inspiration from Celtic art, creating a bridge between ancient traditions and modern aesthetics. This ongoing influence ensures that Celtic art remains a vibrant and evolving cultural legacy.

Celtic art is a treasure trove of intricate designs, deep symbolism, and rich cultural heritage. It continues to captivate and inspire artists, scholars, and enthusiasts around the world, serving as a testament to the enduring creativity and spirituality of the Celtic people.

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Terms & Conditions for Artists Displaying & Selling their paintings and sculptures (here in after referred to as "Artworks") through www.indianartideas.in.

By registering and placing your Artworks for sale on www.indianartideas.in (the Website) you acknowledge that you are bound by the terms and conditions listed below:

Registration & Membership Indian Art Ideas: while requiring pre registration with it of the artist, also reserves the right to accept/ reject any Artworks of the artist. Indian Art Ideas is a service provider to artists to sell their Artworks to collectors directly. It does not take responsibility, or give any guarantee or assurance for the sale of any Artworks posted by the artist on this website.
Authenticity of Artwork: The artist is completely liable for the authenticity of the Artworks and accordingly to display and sell his Artworks the Artist should possess a genuine Authenticity Certificate. He must take a colored print out of the authenticity certificate generated by the system, in the prescribed format, sign it and enclose the certificate with the artwork at the time of shipping to Indian Art Ideas
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Under no circumstances will the price quoted by the artist be further revised upwards once the contract of sale has been executed.
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Shipping : Once an order is placed on Indian Art Ideas, the artist is required to courier the artwork within 2 working days of Indian Art Ideas having received the payment from the collectors on behalf of the artist and the website informing the artist of the same by email. At the time of placing the artwork for sale on our website the artist will state the condition in which the artwork will be shipped - rolled or framed or stretched, and in the event of a sale, courier the artwork in the same condition. All shipping/courier charges to Indian Art Ideas will be borne by the artist. The paintings that are unframed & unmounted should be shipped in a rolled format & in protective cylinders. For the paintings that are shipped with glass frames, utmost care should be taken while packing. The artist is responsible to maintaining a high standard of packing and shipping the artwork such that Indian Art Ideas receives it in undamaged condition. The artist must use only reputed courier services to deliver Artworks to Indian Art Ideas. If in spite of all this, the work gets damaged in transit, Indian Art Ideas will refund the payment to the buyer and cancel the order. The cost of shipping the damaged Artworks back to the artist will be borne by the Artist, and will be deducted from future payments due to the artist from Indian Art Ideas. If the Artworks from an artist are repeatedly received in a damaged condition then, Indian Art Ideas may terminate the membership of the artist. Moreover, if the artwork gets damaged while in transit to the buyer then Indian Art Ideas< will refund the payment to the buyer and cancel the order. The cost of shipping the damaged Artworks back to the artist will be borne by Indian Art Ideas.
Default on Orders Placed : In the event that the Artist no longer has the artwork in his possession, or is unwilling to execute the sale, or has furnished wrong details about the artwork which gets revealed post the confirmation of a sale, Indian Art Ideas reserves the right to cancel the artists membership to this service. Alternately, and without prejudice to the foregoing, Indian Art Ideas may, at its absolute discretion, seek to commence legal proceedings to ensure execution of the contract of sale.
Amount Receivable: The artist will receive an amount equivalent to the gallery price quoted by him less the commission receivable by Indian Art Ideas in the event of a sale.
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Disputes if any would be subject to Delhi jurisdiction only.

Re-sale terms and conditions

Terms & Conditions on Registering, Uploading and Re-sell of Artworks through IndianArtIdeas:

By registering, uploading and sale of artworks which have not been created by you on www.indianartideas.in ('the Website') you acknowledge that you are bound by the terms and conditions listed below:

Acceptance as a Reseller: IndianArtIdeas reserves the right to accept or decline Your application to market & sell Artworks through Us. Your application also includes your acceptance of these terms and conditions and You warrant that all information supplied to Us is accurate, and up to date. While You agree to have Your artworks and related information displayed on the Site, You will inform Us of any changes in the information supplied to Us including name, address and contact details, details of Artworks, and the sale of Artworks.

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You warrant that all work sold through Us is free of any copyright restrictions or intellectual property disputes. You warrant the Work is in Your physical possession and You have the legal right to sell it. You warrant that the artwork is an authentic artwork made by the artist it is attributed to. In the event that there are doubts regarding the authenticity of the artwork, IndianArtIdeas will have limited liability. The buyer may choose to take suitable action against you as the reseller, including but not limited to, civil and criminal action.

Sale of Artworks : If a sale is made, You are entering into a legally binding contract with Us to complete the sale and dispatch the artwork within 3 working days. In the event of Your artwork being purchased, the artworks will be delivered/shipped to the Buyer directly by You through a courier of good repute.The shipping of the work will be Your responsibility and IndianArtIdeas shall provide full details to you in order to close the transaction successfully.

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You further warrant that you will not include your contact details in the artwork packaging that would encourage the customer to deal directly with You. You will package and arrange delivery of Artworks to the Buyer within the agreed time.

Payment for Artworks Sold through IndianArtIdeas: IndianArtIdeas will make Your payment after the Buyer intimates Us about receiving the artwork in a proper condition, and along with the authentication certificate and confirms his satisfaction with the purchase. The payment will be made into your Bank Account details of which will be provided by you.

The payment released by Us would be made after deducting Our commission of 15% of the listing price. Non-exclusivity:You may market Your artwork through other channels simultaneously with marketing through Us, provided:

This does not affect Your ability to deliver the Artwork to the Buyer within the specified time.

You do not offer Your Artwork at a price lower than the price which You are offering it through Us.

If the Artwork is sold through another channel You will immediately remove it from sale on the Site.

Returns and damaged goods: In the event of the Artwork arriving damaged to the Buyer, You will be liable for the costs of retrieving the Artwork from the buyer. You will claim any costs in retrieving the Artwork through the insurance cover provided by Your chosen courier. We will not accept claims for reimbursement in the event of damage to Artworks under any circumstances. You accept that if You have not taken adequate insurance, You will be liable for the costs of retrieving the Artwork.

Only if damaged (not otherwise), Your accept that the Buyer may return the artwork, and this will constitute cancellation of the order. We will not accept liability for Your delivery expenses in this instance.

In the event of a return of damaged goods claim by the Buyer, the buyer will return the artwork to the addresses of IndianArtCollectors, and we will assess the damage to prepare a claim and return the artwork to you.

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Termination: We may block, suspend, or terminate Your use of the Site, Content, or Services at any time for any reason.

Changes to this Agreement: We retain the right to revise this Agreement, in whole or in part, at any time. Your use of the Site or any Content or Services after any particular revision of this Agreement will constitute your acceptance of the revised Agreement.

Please refer to the Terms & Conditions of Sale, Disclaimer and the terms of our Privacy Policy, which together with these terms and conditions govern Your use of the website.

Disputes if any, would be subject to UP jurisdiction only.