http://www.ucsf.edu/daybreak/1998/09/08_artists.html
NINA'S ARTS NOTES
Who Were the Thracians?
From buried objects and Greek writings -- the Thracians had no written language of
their own -- we have learned that the ancient Thracians of the southern Balkan
peninsula were renowned horsemen, warriors, goldsmiths, and silversmiths.
From the fabulous exhibition at the Legion of Honor until October 11, Ancient Gold: The
Wealth of the Thracians, Treasures from the Republic of Bulgaria, we learn that the
Thracians produced the first gold found on earth known to be worked by human hands
and that they fashioned objects of marvelous beauty and elegance. The hundreds of
artifacts in this show, mostly of gold and silver, date from 4000 B.C. until 400 A.D. and
many have been brought to light during the last 70 years accidentally by farmers and
fishermen, and purposefully by government archaeologists.
One simply stands agape at the mastery of metalworking revealed in the 13 vessels of
24K gold, weighing some 28 pounds and dating from 1500 B.C., which comprise the
Vulchitrun Treasure. And at a gold-stemmed laurel wreath, undoubtedly from royal
insignia, with tiny golden berries and veining in its leaves of delicate, almost
diaphanous gold. Several of the gold and silver gilt rhytons, ceremonial drinking
vessels, have handles in the shapes of centaurs so exquisitely made that hoof
markings and even eyelashes are visible.
According to the Greeks, Thrace was the birthplace of Ares, god of war, of Orpheus,
who brought music into the world, and of Midas, the king whose touch turned everything
to gold. This wonderful show makes it easy to believe the legends.
The Legion of Honor is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lincoln
Park, 34th Avenue and Clement. Pleasant restaurant for lunch which is served until
3:30 p.m. Admission free second Wednesday of the month.