Art and gender. The case study of enamelling in continental Europe (4th-3rd century BCE)
Résumé
Fourth century BCE works of art from south-western Germany and the Swiss Plateau
are characterised by the Waldalgesheim style and the art of enamelling. Special
classes of jewels and weapons indicate that the art of enamelling was a symbol of
excellence at that time. The spatial distribution of early enamelled objects shows
a high concentration in the middle and upper Rhine valley. Anthropological data
and DNA analysis available from a few cemeteries – such as Gäufelden-Nebringen,
Baden-Württemberg, Germany – provide information about the relationships
between types of enamelled objects, as well as the people and family groups to
whom these objects were dedicated. These data offer an opportunity to investigate
issues of gender during the 4th century and the early 3rd century BCE in continental
Europe.