Hunara: Journal of Ancient Iranian Arts and History

Abstract Throughout its history, Georgia was actively involved in the cultural life of the contemporary civilized world. Early  medieval Georgian art was formed and based on ancient local artistic traditions. At the same time, close relations with Eastern Christian and Byzantine cultural-religious centers contributed to the creation of the artistic language of the medieval Georgian church art. In its initial stage Georgian Christian art was also nourished by the Sasanian artistic tradition.
This paper discusses the Sasanian artistic influence on the Georgian reliefs of the early Middle Ages. I will demonstrate how some themes and motifs originating from Iran were interpreted and assimilated on the local ground. Special attention will be paid to the symbols of power and ornamentation motives. The oriental elements are also pronounced in dresses of noblemen. The examples of early medieval Georgian reliefs will be discussed within a vast cultural-political context to understand mentioned “borrowings” from the non-Christian visual vocabulary.