The core element of our project is the annotation of cylinder seal images. We do this according to coherent controlled vocabularies which we developed for the project in accordance with the existing scholarly literature. The aim is a transparent and consistent labeling process for each picture element, which avoids synonyms and terminological discrepancies for the same figure or feature.
We link these vocabularies to existing authority data repositories especially to the Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) whenever possible.
In the following list, you can find the terms used by the ACAWAI-CS project team: From the definition of general terms, to class names for each picture element, and detailed attributes grouped by category. Since we constantly expand our dataset to new regions and periods, the vocabulary will grow continuously and remain, therefore, a work in progress. We are updating this list regularly.
General terms
| Term | Definition | Getty AAT ID |
|---|---|---|
| thematic group | Pictorial theme or general motif consisting of a circumscribed group of figures/pictorial elements forming an integral unit or scene, e.g. contest scene. | 300195523 |
| (pictorial) rank | Rank of a pictorial element within the image as a whole. Distinction depends on relative size of the element and its integration into the depicted scene as a whole (part of the action or seemingly unrelated). | |
| classification | General classification of figurative and non-figurative elements in broad categories like human being, animal, astral symbol etc. | 300054631 |
| class | Assignment of a pictorial element to a specific category of beings or things, e.g. "king", "bird", "sun-disc". Includes assignment to well-established iconographic types, e.g. "victorious king" ("figure with mace", "Gottkönig als Priester") | 300137570 |
| role | The function of a figure or object in a certain thematic group/scene. | 300435108 |
| sex / gender |
Entails sex & gender distinctions as made visible in the pictorial record. |
300055146; 300411835 |
| orientation | Applies to figurative pictorial elements (= classified as “human being”, “deity”, “hybrid” or “animal”). Internal differentitation between face and body orientation, e.g. face: frontal, body: in profile left. | 300056297 |
| posture | Applies to figurative pictorial elements. The way a body is moved or positioned. | 300404639 |
| gesture | Applies to figurative pictorial elements. Position of hands; separate entry for each hand when needed. AAT (gesture): Movement and positioning of limbs, hands, or body as a means of intentional expression. | 300056179 |
| attribute | Objects or beings carried or closely associated with a figure, e.g. a small animal or a weapon carried in the hands, or a throne on which the figure is seated. Not used here in the narrow sense of the word for items/visual markers which identify a certain figure unequivocally (e.g. the statue of a specific saint equipped with a distinctive object, animal, clothing). | not exactly identical to 300224504 |
| beard | Arrangement of hair growing in the human face. | 300379263 |
| hairstyle | Arrangement of the hair growing on the human skull. | 300262903 |
| headdress | Coverings for the head, often worn for ceremonial or ornamental purposes. | 300046023 |
| clothing | Types of garments used to dress the body. Excludes items worn on the head (headdress) or as jewellery. | 300266639 |
| cloth | Kind of fabric/textile used to make clothing. | 300162391 |
| jewellery | Ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces, and rings, often made of precious materials and carried on the person for adornment. | 300209286 |
| footwear | Coverings for the feet. | 300209280 |
| inscription | Standardized signs representing words; writing. | 300028702 |
| framing | Borders enclosing a pictorial element, usually an inscription, e.g. seal legend box. | 300257245 |
| rework | Altering an object after its original production and finishing. | 300252666 |
Pictorial rank
| Term | Definition | Getty AAT ID |
|---|---|---|
|
border |
Ornamental areas along upper and lower edge of the seal. | 300010252 |
| division | Ornamental feature separating different parts of an image. | |
| interspersed element | Free-floating, small-scale items without obvious relation to the main scene; “adjunct features” (Kelly-Buccellati 1977). | |
| main element | Figures or objects of large/appropriate size, usually filling almost the full height of an seal image. | 300404450 |
| secondary element | Figures of noticeably smaller size than main elements but part of another scene, separate from the main scene. | 300404451 |
Thematic group
| Term | Definition | Getty AAT ID |
|---|---|---|
| agricultural activity | AAT: "Action, practice, or system of the operation of a farm, including the cultivation of the soil to produce crops." | 300192802 |
| banquet | People eating and/or drinking together in a ceremonial setting. | 300247614 |
| combat | Violent action/fight between humans, hybrids and/or animals. | 300379752 |
| encounter | Face-to-face meeting between two figures. | 300438557 |
| encounter with symbol | Face-to-face situation between figure and object. Usually scene of religious action/worship without anthropomorphic recipient. | 300056005 |
| figure flanked by animals | A figure who controls or is simply flanked by animals usually arranged antithetically. The motif is often referred to as "master-" or "lord-of-the-animals" (German: "Herr der Tiere"), respectively "lady-of-the wild-animals" (Greek: "potnia theron", German: "Herrin der Tiere"). | |
| figure(s) flanking a symbol | One or two figures, often hybrids or heroes, hold, support or stand besides a non-anthropomorphic, symbolic object such as a (divine) standard, a throne or a temple gate. | |
| hunt | Act of chasing animals for the purpose of catching or killing them. | 300386094 |
| labor | Human activity that produces the goods or provides services; carried out by workers or servants. | 300263340 |
| performance |
AAT: "Instances of the execution of an action, operation, or process in performing a literary, artistic, musical, theatrical, or other creative work." |
300069200 |
| row of elements | Similar pictorial elements (persons, animals, heads, symbols) arranged in horizontal rows or vertical columns. A row of humans may represent a procession. | 300069290 (procession) |
| sexual intercourse | Intimate sexual contact between two figures. | 300380106 |
Classification
| Term | Definition | Getty AAT ID |
|---|---|---|
| animal | Non-anthropomorphic, moving living being that exists in nature. | 300249395 |
| artifact | Human-made thing. Not directly associated with a figure, i.e. not held in a hand or used as a seating furniture (if yes, see "attribute"). | 300117127 |
| astral body | Picture elements representing the celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars). | 300387654 |
| building | Built environment, architectural structures and their components, e.g. doors, walls, niches, towers etc. | 300004789 |
| deity | Anthropomorphic figure with horned headdress, wings or other attributes which typically signify divine status, i.e. mark the figure as a god or goddess. | 300343850 |
| human being | Anthropomorphic figure not marked as deity. | 300024979 |
| hybrid being | Imaginary creature composed of various animal and human parts. Includes human-like beings which belong to the realm of myth or legend, e.g. Humbaba or the "six-curled hero". | 300375725 |
| inscription | All kinds of written signs; placed alone or arranged in rows or columns. | 300028702 |
| natural feature | Natural features or things, not made by humans, e.g. mountains, flowers. | 300132294 |
| pattern | Group/cluster of non-figurative elements. AAT: ornamental designs composed of repeated or combined motifs. |
300010108 |
| sign |
Non-figurative picture element not identifiable as writing, artifact, astral body or pattern. It could be a (divine) symbol with circumscribed meaning or simply a non-distinct (geometric) sign. |
300009700; 300055878 |
Class
| Term | Definition | Getty AAT ID |
|---|---|---|
| unclassified | no clear identification of pictorial element | |
| animal | More detailled class attribution not possible. | 300249395 |
| ankh | AAT: Figures like a cross having a loop instead of an upper vertical, used especially in ancient Egypt as a symbol of life. | 300010045 |
| ant | Insect with a large head, a slender, oval abdomen joined to the thorax by a small waist. | 300258809 |
| arrow | Projectile with a pointed head; shot from a bow. | 300036976 |
| ball-staff | Usually vertically placed slender object ("staff") with a bulbous thickening ("ball") in the middle or lower part at one side. | |
| band | A thick line or ornamental pattern that divides or frames an image field. | |
| bird | Small animal with wings, feathers and beak, which is able to fly. | 300266506 |
| bird-staff | Staff crowned by a bird or ending in a bird's head. | |
| boat | AAT: Watercraft generally smaller and less seaworthy than ships and generally not designed to cross large open waters. | 300178749 |
| boat-god | Half boat, half human with horned headdress (god). Sometimes only a boat with a human head. Most of the time he also has a human torso and arms and is rowing himself. Usually transporting gods. | |
| bow | AAT: Stringed projectile weapons designed to propel arrows, generally consisting of a long stave of wood, metal, fiberglass, or other flexible material, with a length of strong string fastened to the tips of the stave which is bent in a curve, either permanently or from the tension of the string. The string is drawn back, holding the arrow by means of a notch in its rear tip, and propels the arrow upon release. | 300036999 |
| bow-legged man | short man (around half general size) with curved legs to each side | |
| branch | AAT: Portions or limbs of trees or other plants that grow out of the stem or trunk, or out of one of the boughs. | 300379798 |
| bull | Adult males of cattle, oxen, or taurine animal in general. | 300250117 |
| bull-man | Figure consisting of a human torso, the lower part of a bull, and a human bearded face with horns | |
| calf | The young of bovine animals. | 300310537 |
| camel | AAT: Members of a genus of even-toed ungulates containing two living species and several extinct species. Living members have a humped back, short tail, long slim legs, and long neck that dips downward and rises to a small narrow head, an upper lip that is split into two sections that move independently. The Arabian camel species has a single hump, and the Bactrian camel species has two humps. | 300250139 |
| canopy | AAT: Roof-like coverings of various kinds, not attached to four walls, but suspended by poles, cords, or attached on one side to a wall. Examples include coverings or hangings suspended over a throne, couch, bed, etc., or held over a person walking in procession, or an architectural roof-like ornamented projection, surmounting a niche, door, window, tomb, etc. | 300069732 |
| caprid | Sub-group of the bovidae, goat-like horned animals, including antelopes, wildgoats, ibexes, ... | |
| centaur | Legendary creatures having the head, trunk, and arms of a man joined to the body and legs of a horse. The term derives from early Greek literature where it referred to a savage tribe of Thessaly, who were said to be expert horse riders. |
300379740 |
| centre-dot circle | a hollow circle with a dot in its centre | |
| chariot | AAT: Ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman animal-drawn, wheeled vehicles with a wide range of uses and forms, usually driven from the standing position and most often with two wheels; probably developed in Mesopotamia around the early 3rd millenium and could be pulled by up to ten animals. | 300212699 |
| chevron | Simple geometric forms composed of Vs used singly, in a vertical series, or in a string to form a zigzag. | 300009766 |
| child | People in the earliest developmental stage of life. | 300025945 |
| circle(s) | geometric shape with every point in the same distance to the centre, has a diameter and radius. As a decorative element it is usually hollow. A filled circle would be a disc (see below). AAT: Having the shape or outline of a circle, which is a plane figure bounded by a single curved line which is everywhere equally distant from the center. |
300263827 |
| cow | Adult females of cattle or taurine animal in general. | 300250120 |
| cow suckling calf | Picture composition of a cow in the moment of suckling her calf | |
| crescent | AAT: Motifs consisting of a curved segment of a circle, often suggesting a crescent moon. | 300165510 |
| crescent-standard | a standard with a crescent on its upper end | |
| crook | AAT: Objects consisting of a long shaft with a bent or hooked end, usually of wood or metal, that are used to catch or hold another object, especially those used to restrain livestock or to gather hay while reaping. Employed in some cultures as a symbolic or ritual object, such as those used by the Yona Society of the Dogon people, in Mali. | 300262271 |
| cross | AAT: Motifs consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, with many variations in the shapes of the arms. For structures or objects of cross shape, especially those used as Christian symbols, use "crosses (visual works)." | 300010044 |
| cup | AAT: Open bowl-shaped vessels, used chiefly for drinking, often having one handle, but sometimes two handles or none, generally on a low foot-ring; also includes similar bowl-shaped vessels, generally without handles, resting on a stem and supported by a spreading foot. Occasionally made with a lid. | 300043202 |
| dagger | AAT: Weapons with a short, double-edged, sharp-pointed blade and a grip, used for stabbing or parrying. | 300037058 |
| dais | AAT: Raised indoor platforms at or along one end of halls or similar large rooms as places of honor or prominence, as would be reserved for dignitaries, officers, or speakers. For, usually smaller, indoor or outdoor raised platforms used by speakers or conductors, prefer "podiums (platforms)." | 300249288 |
| disc | A filled circle (see circle above) | |
| disc-in-crescent | Disc lying in a crescent, matching the empty space | |
| dog | AAT: Domesticated species of Canis, formerly believed to be descended from Canis lupus, gray wolves; however, recent studies suggest that gray wolves and domestic dogs instead have a common ancestor, now extinct. Dogs come in a variety of shapes, and sizes and over 400 distinct breeds. All domestic or feral dogs are descended from a single common ancestral species. For more than 12,000 years, it has lived with humans as a hunting companion, protector, and as herders and guardians of sheep, goats, and cattle. Today, dogs are employed as aids to the blind and disabled, or for police work. In Western art, dogs have generally come to symbolize faithfulness and loyalty, however, in other cultures they can symbolizes a varity of traits, ranging from unclean to seducer. | 300250130 |
| donkey | AAT: Domesticated descendant of the wild ass. Donkeys resemble horses and are characterized by their large head, long ears, and cow-like tail. | 300265959 |
| double-headed eagle | Legendary creature of an eagle with two heads. AAT (eagle): General term referring to several species in diverse genera of the family Accipitridae, that are not all closely related to each other, but having in common that they are large, powerful hunters, heavy-beaked, and have a fully feathered head and strong feet equipped with great curved talons. Because of their strength and agressive nature, eagles have been a symbol of war and imperial power since Babylonian times. | 300250049 |
| drill hole(s) | circular depression in the seal cyliner body, made by the drill of the seal cutter | |
| eye | AAT: Motifs having the appearance of an eye, generally a human eye (...) | 300263475 |
| eye_egyptian | motif of an eye in egyptian style | |
| fish | AAT: General term referring to animals from several evolutionary lines and thus not properly a taxonomic group. The term refers to aquatic animals found in the fresh and salt waters all over the world, characterized by being cold-blooded, living and breathing primarily in the water throughout their lives, possessing gill slits, a notochord or skeletal supporting rod, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a tail, scales covering the body, and two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins. Living species range from the primitive jawless lampreys and hagfishes through the jawed fishes with cartilaginous skeletons such as sharks, skates, and rays to the abundant and diverse bony fishes. | 300266085 |
| fish garbed figure | person of a specific profession, wearing a fish shaped coat or costume | |
| fish-man | AAT: Imaginary, partly human sea creatures with the head and trunk of a man, usually bearded, and the tail of a fish or cetacean; in Heraldry and elsewhere, often holding a trident and a shell-trumpet. | 300379733 |
| fish-person | Imaginary, partly human sea creatures with the head and trunk of a person of undefiable sex | |
| fish-woman | Imaginary, partly human sea creatures with the head and trunk of a woman and the tail of a fish or cetacean. | 300379596 |
| flower | AAT: The reproductive portions of any plant in the division Angiospermae, flowering plants. As popularly used, the term "flower" especially applies when part or all of the reproductive structure is distinctive in color and form. | 300132399 |
| fly | AAT: Members of an order of containing 240,000 species of insects possessing a single pair of wings on the mesothorax and hind wings that have developed into a pair of halteres on the metathorax. Insects in other orders may have the word "fly" in their name (e.g., dragonfly), but they are not true flies. | 300310504 |
| fox | AAT: General term referring to various members of the family Canidae, especially those of the genus Vulpes, such as the red or common, fox (V. vulpes), which lives in both the Old World and the New World. Several other foxes belong to genera other than Vulpes, including the North American gray fox, the Arctic fox, and the the bat-eared fox, and the crab-eating fox. Foxes resemble small dogs, with pointed snouts, large ears, and bushy tails. | 300266520 |
| frog | AAT: General term for any member of the order Anura that is smooth-skinned, semi-aquatic, and leaping, as distinguished from more terrestrial, squat, warty, hopping anurans, which are called "toads." There is no taxonomic distinction between frogs and toads. | 300250018 |
| gate | AAT: Swinging or sliding barriers used to fill or close a gateway between two spaces or placed within a wall or fencing, often exterior and often made of a grating or open framework or forming a heavy or rough structure. For barriers of more solid and finished construction and usually leading to interior spaces, use "doors." For more substantial structures, whether or not they include an actual barrier, see various types of "gate structures." |
300002916 |
| gate-post | AAT: Posts on which gates are hung. | 300002936 |
| gazelle | AAT: Genus containing about 12 species and more than 50 recognized forms of graceful antelopes found on open plains and semideserts from Mongolia westward to the Atlantic coast of North Africa and throughout eastern and central tropical Africa. Three members of the genus Procapra are also commonly referred to as gazelles. | 300250197 |
| goat | AAT: Genus of ruminant, hollow-horned mammals containing seven to nine species, including the wild goat, ibexes, the markhor, and the subspecies of domestic goat. The classification of goats is in flux based on new DNA research, and in some older classifications includes Ovis (sheep) and Ammotragus (Barbary Sheep), which are separate genera in other classifications. The Rocky Mountain goat is a separate genus, Oreamnos. | 300250122 |
| goat-fish | Legendary creature with the upper body of a goat and the lower body of a fish | |
| god | AAT: Masculine superhuman persons or other beings who are worshipped and believed to have power over nature and the fortunes of mankind. | 300343851 |
| god_bull-eared | male god in human form with ears of a bull clearly visible on each side of the face | |
| goddess | AAT: Female superhuman persons or other beings who are worshipped and believed to have power over nature and the fortunes of mankind. | 300343852 |
| grain ear | Stem or main axis of a cereal plant with grains on it. | 300011904 |
| grasshopper | AAT: Members of a suborder containing around 11,000 species in over 2,000 genera and 8 superfamilies of insects in which the femur region of the upper hindlegs is greatly enlarged and contains large muscles that make the legs well adapted for leaping, the male able to produce a buzzing sound either by rubbing its front wings together or by rubbing toothlike ridges on the hind femurs against a raised vein on each closed front wing, ranging in color from green to olive or brown, and found in lowland tropical forests, semiarid regions, and grasslands. | 300310684 |
| griffin | AAT: Composite mythological creatures with the head and wings of a bird (usually that of an eagle) and the body and hind quarters of a lion. Was a favorite decorative motif in the ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean area, probably having originated in the Levant in the 2nd millennium BCE; the griffin had spread throughout western Asia and into Greece by the 14th century BCE. The Asiatic griffin had a crested head, whereas the Minoan and Greek griffin usually had a mane of spiral curls. It was shown either recumbent or seated on its haunches, often paired with the sphinx; its function was often protective. The Greeks believed griffins inhabited Scythia to keep jealous watch over the gold of that country. | 300379594 |
| griffin-demon | Part human, part griffin. Body of a human, wings and head of a bid of prey | |
| guilloche | AAT: A pattern or ornament of interlaced curving bands in the form of two or more bands or strings twisting over each other, so as to repeat the same figure, in a continued series by the spiral returning of the bands; sometimes giving the effect of a braid, but most often in smooth curves forming circles. Sometimes considered a type of fret or a type of interlace. Named after the French engineer Guillot, who invented a machine that could scratch fine patterns and designs on metallic surfaces. | 300032286 |
| hand | AAT: Parts of a human's or an animal's body, usually having fingers, located below the wrist joint of the arms, characterized by being routinely used for purposes other than support and locomotion. For the truncating components of legs, use "feet (animal components)," "paws (animal components)," "hooves (animal components)," or another appropriate term. | 300310193 |
| hare | AAT: General term referring to any of more than 30 species belonging to the genus Lepus and sometimes used for species of other genera of the family Leporidae. They have long ears, a divided upper lip, and long hind legs adapted for leaping, but are distinguished form rabbits by significantly longer ears, longer hind feet, a shorter tail, longer body, and having young are born fully furred and with eyes wide open and seeing. The common names of species containing the word "hare" and "rabbit" are not strictly indicative of the genera to which the animals belong. | 300250216 |
| head_animal | AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_bull | Head of a bull: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_bull-man | Head of a bullman: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_caprid | head of a caprid: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_gazelle | head of a gazelle: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_goat | head of a goat: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_lion | AAT: Motif in the form of the head of a lion, usually a maned African lion. Examples occur in Western and Asian art, for example in carpet designs, spouts and other elements on pottery, and ornamental elements on architecture or furniture. | 300343407 |
| head_man | head of a man: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_priest | head of a priest: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_six-curled hero | head of a six-curled-hero: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_sphinx | head of a sphinx (for sphinx see iden00132) | |
| head_stag | head of a stag: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| head_woman | head of a woman: head AAT: The anterior parts of the body of humans and animals containing the mouth, special sense organs such as the eyes, nose, and ears, and the brain; typically separated by a neck or otherwise distinguished from the rest of the body. | 300375054 |
| hedgehog | AAT: Order containing around 21 species in one family possessing several thousand short, smooth spines that densely cover a short, stocky body except for the underside, legs, face, and ears. | 300310319 |
| herringbone | AAT: A pattern consisting of adjoining vertical rows of slanting lines, forming Vs or inverted Vs; used in masonry, textiles, and other work. | 300010138 |
| horizontal/vertical line(s) | a straight stroke, can be used as a divider or a standing surface | |
| horned headdress | Headdress with one or several pairs of bull horns, worn by deities. In this case it is depicted seperatly. | |
| horse | AAT: Genus including horses and similar animals. It evolved from small animals with multi-toed padded hooves. Equus is the only surviving genus in the once diverse family of horses. It was domesticated about 3,000 years ago. | 300265977 |
| horse suckling foal | horse in the moment of suckling its foal | |
| horus bird | Bird of one of the prime deities of egypt. it is depicted as a falcon in egyptianized way | |
| human-headed bull | Bull with the head of a human man, usually long beard and horns | |
| Humbaba | Legendary creature. Monstrous giant and known from the epic of gilgamesh as the guardian of the cedar forest. Usueally depicted frontal, with a grotesque face, mouth baring its teeth, two locks framing the mouth form the beard. Often only the head is depicted. The body is naked and the knees are bend in opposite directions | |
| hybrid | A mixture of two or more beings into a legendary creature. | |
| incense burner | AAT: A vessel or stand in or on which incense is burnt for the purpose of scenting a space, whether or not the action also has a ceremonial purpose. For containers, often in the form of a covered vase or sometimes in the form of a tripod, that hold perfumes or pastilles, use "cassolettes." | 300198817 |
| inscription | AAT: Words, texts, lettering, or symbols marked on a work, including texts, legends, documentation notes, or commemoration. For standardized symbols or notations on objects that convey official information, use "marks (symbols)." | 300028702 |
| Ishtar | Goddess of love and war. Attribute animal is a lion on which she can stand, put a foot or she has next to her throne. She can hold several weapons and often maces and other weapons are emerging from her shoulders. Her head is mostly depicted frontal. Because of her connection to war, which is usually attributed to male warrior gods, she can also be depicted with what have been identified as a beard. The possibility of a certain type of necklace should be considered as well. | |
| kid | AAT: Baby goats. | 300379382 |
| king | Anthropomorphic figure equipped with royal insignia. AAT: Monarchs who reign over a kingdom, which is a major territorial unit or government ruled by a single person. The term may also refer to rulers of smaller entities and may include tribal rulers or rulers of petty states who are by tradition called "king." If kings rule over a territory that is contained within an empire, kings are typically subordinate to the emperor. Kings are always male; female rulers of kingdoms are called "queens. |
300025481 |
| ladder | AAT: Frames, usually of wood or metal, consisting of two side pieces called stiles which are connected by crosspieces, usually round, called rungs; used as a means of climbing up or down. | 300022376 |
| leash | equipment for animals, mostly string of leather or rope that gets attached to a collar, halter or nose ring of an animal/being in order to have better control and guidance over it | 300428068 |
| lightning fork | Symbol of the Storm-god. The Fork can have 2 or 2 prongs, very rarely 4. Can be held by the god or stand freely in the scene | |
| lion | AAT: Large, powerful species of cat that is well-muscled, with a large head, short legs, size and appearance that varies considerably between the sexes, and is unique among the cats in living in family groups or prides. In the Pleistocene, lions were the most widespread large land mammals, ranging throughout Eurasia, Africa, and North America. Today listed as Vulnerable, remaining only in fragmented populations remain in Sub-Saharan Africa and western India. | 300310388 |
| lion-fish | upper body of a lion and lower body of a fish | |
| lion-griffin | winged lion, the feet of the back and the wings are those of a griffin | |
| lion-headed eagle | Eagle with the head of a lion, bellybutton visible, complete frontal view | |
| lion-mace | a double lion-headed mace, lion heads on both sides of the mace, held by warrior gods | |
| lion-man | mixed legendary creature between a lion and a man | |
| lion-scimitar | Scimitar with a lion's head on top of it | |
| lizard | AAT: Members of a suborder containing nearly 4,450 species of reptiles having a single temporal opening lying above the bar formed by postorbital and squamosal bones, a pectoral girdle and interorbital septum always present, well-eveloped male copulatory organs (hemipenes) and saclike ovaries in females, often an elongated body, a long tail, four legs, and a scaly or granulated hide. The classification of lizards and other reptiles is in flux. | 300250295 |
| mace | Clubs with the top, rounded and enlarged part usually made out of stone. The handle most likely was made out of wood. AAT: Clubs used throughout Europe mainly from the 11th to the 17th century, made either entirely of metal or of a wooden shaft with a metal head, the head having longitudinal grooves or flanges and sometimes surmounted by a spike. |
300037214 |
| man | AAT: Refers to male human beings from young adulthood through old age. | 300025928 |
| men_piled up | multiple human figures, some grotesquly twisted, accumulated and forming a small hill | |
| monkey | Common term referring to the New World monkeys and the Old World monkeys, two of the three groupings of simian primates, the third of which is the apes. There are over 250 known living species of monkey. Because of their similarity to monkeys, apes are often called "monkeys" in informal usage. Furthermore, some monkey species have the word "ape" in their common name, causing further confusion. Because monkeys are not a single coherent group, they do not all share any particular traits that are not also shared with the apes. | 300250028 |
| mountain | AAT: Prominent landforms rising considerably above the surrounding area, typically having steep slopes, a sharp summit area, and large mass. Mountains rarely occur individually, and in most cases, are found in ranges, chains, or systems. | 300008795 |
| net | AAT: Objects consisting of meshed arrangements of threads, cords, or ropes that have been twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals. For the open weave textile made of twine or strong thread or yarn, usually of silk, cotton, nylon, or rayon, with fine to coarse meshes of fixed dimension, used to make various items from veils and trimming on clothing to tennis nets and fish nets, use "net (textile)." | 300230818 |
| offering table | AAT: Tables or other platforms in temples and churches upon which offerings to divinities are set. Not specific to geographic location, religious culture, or historical period: there are Ptolemaic, Shinto Buddhist, Vaishnav, Christian and Jewish offering tables. Examples are the blocks of sculpted stone or wood, intended to be placed in front of the false doors or statues of Egyptian tombs. These held food, drink, or other offerings to the dead and deities. For similar objects used specifically for liquid offerings, use 'libation tables.' | 300419378 |
| omega-symbol | motif in the shape of the greek letter omega | |
| pattern | AAT: Ornamental designs, usually on a flat surface or in relief and composed of repeated or combined motifs. Distinguish from "motifs" which are distinct or separable design elements occurring singly as individual shapes. | 300010108 |
| pattern_triangle(s) | pattern made out of triangles. AAT triangles: Polygons having three sides and three angles. | 300009806 |
| pen | (Portable) shelter for animals | 300045477 |
| performer | AAT: People who practice the performing arts, such as such as singers, actors, dancers, acrobats, magicians, circus performers, comedians, etc. For persons who make performance art, considered a fine art and often seen in a museum, see "performance artists." | 300068931 |
| person | AAT: Members of the species Homo sapiens and their close extinct relatives, as distinguished from other animals, spirits, or other entities. | 300024979 |
| pig | AAT: Genus containing at least 11 living and several fossil species of intelligent, social, even-toed ungulate having a stout body, sparse bristly hair, and a broad flat snout for rooting in the soil, including wild and domestic pigs. | 300250114 |
| plant | AAT: Multicellular eukaryotic life forms characterized by photosynthesis, in which chemical energy is produced from water, minerals, and carbon dioxide with the aid of pigments and the radiant energy of the Sun. However, also included in the kingdom are plants that do not produce their food by photosynthesis, but rather are parasitic and live off of other living plants. Other plants are saprophytic, obtaining their food from dead organic matter. Plants have cells that contain cellulose in their walls and are therefore to some extent rigid. There is also an absence of organs of locomotion, resulting in a more or less stationary existence as well as no sensory and nervous systems. There are over 300,000 living species of plants. | 300132360 |
| plough | Agricultural tools used for cutting, lifting, turning over, and partly pulverizing the soil, especially in the preparation of a seedbed. | 300233317 |
| pot | AAT: Cylindrical or rounded containers, often of metal or earthenware and varying in size; used chiefly for domestic purposes. | 300045697 |
| priest | AAT: Refers specifically to those male clergy who perform sacrificial, ritualistic, mediatorial, interpretative, or ministerial functions. In modern usage, females may be called "priests" too. CORRECTION: in antiquity and general females and non-binary persons were/are priests as well |
300025774 |
| quadruped animal | AAT: Animals that have four feet and walk using four legs. | 300417965 |
| ram | AAT: Adult male uncastrated sheep. | 300250287 |
| rectangular object | AAT: Quadrilateral parallelograms having four right angles. | 300055636 |
| rhomb | AAT: Geometric figures having four equal sides and equal opposite angles, particularly where there are no right angles, as contrasted with a square; an oblique equilateral parallelogram. | 300009802 |
| rod-with-balls | staff equiped with several spheres, usually at the upper ends | |
| rosette | AAT: Motif in the form of a stylized rose with petals radiating from the center, or for similar circular ornaments having a design radiating from the center. | 300009972 |
| row of animals | multiple animals in one row | |
| row of fish | multiple fish in one row | |
| row of hands | multiple hands of the exact same appearance in one row | |
| row of heads_animal | multiple animal heads in one row | |
| row of heads_human | multiple human heads in one row | |
| row of men | multiple men of the exact same appearance in one row, usually walking, parts of the bodies are overlying | |
| scorpion | AAT: Members of an order including around 1,400 species of arachnids having a pair of large nippers and a general resemblance to a miniature lobster; they inhabit tropical and warm temperate countries in both hemispheres. | 300249717 |
| scorpion-man | Mixed legenday creature, human upper body, hindquarters and talons of a bird, scorpionstail | |
| serpent | AAT: General term for animals, real or legendary, having a long, sinuous form; often, but not always, animals that are snakes (Serpentes suborder) or have a form like snakes. | 300417734 |
| Shala | shala, wife of the storm-god, associated with rain, holding rain waves in here hand, or a band of rain / rainbow (?) oder her head, might be lifting her veil/dress | |
| sheep | AAT: Refers to members of the genus containing 5 or more species of ruminant (cud-chewing) mammals, including domestic sheep. Sheep are typically distinguished from goats by being stockier, having horns that more divergent in form, having scent glands in its face and hind feet, and the males lack the beards of goats. In all wild species of sheep, the outer coat is hair overlaying a short undercoat of fine wool; the fine wool has been developed into the fleece of domesticated sheep. Sheep were first domesticated from wild species of sheep at least 5000 BCE, and their remains have been found at numerous sites of early human habitation in the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. Domesticated sheep are raised for their fleece, milk, and meat. | 300250284 |
| sibittu | Seven stars known to us as Pleiades. Depicted as seven spheres. | |
| sign | motifs of unclear identification | |
| six-curled hero | Hero, calle the hairy one, usually depicted with long hair in six curls, number of curls can vary, can be depicted nude with just a belt or dressed. Subordinate of the water god Enki/Ea | |
| snake | AAT: Suborder containing around 2,900 species of reptiles with a greatly elongated body, tapering tail, smooth scaly integument, and in some species, venomous properties. Snakes represent a lizard that, over the course of evolution, has undergone structural reduction, simplification, and loss as well as specialization of characteristics. All snakes lack external limbs, but not all legless reptiles are snakes. All snakes are carnivorous and can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids, limbs, external ears, and vestiges of forelimbs. | 300250870 |
| snake-dragon | snake body, horns, lion's forelegs, bird's hindlegs. Associated with several deities, most prominently Marduk. | |
| snake-goddess | female deity with the lower body in intertwined snake bodies, can have bird tallons | |
| spade | AAT: Tools intended for cutting, digging, or removing earth or turf, in the form of a wooden haft attached to an oblong metal blade. The haft usually has a cross-bar or handle at the end for grasping while forcing the metal blade into the ground with the foot. The blade itself is often formed to accommodate foot pressure. For similar tools with longer handles or hafts and broader blades intended for moving matter, use "shovels." | 300024335 |
| spear | AAT: Simple staff weapons having a sharp-pointed head and no auxiliary blades or points, used both in warfare and hunting since ancient times in many cultures and regions. | 300037038 |
| sphinx | AAT: Mythical creatures having a lion's body and a human head. Originating in Egypt, probably as a type of the king, the Sphinx became known early to Syrians, Phoenicians, and Mycenaean Greeks. | 300375739 |
| spider | AAT: (...) species of predatory arthropods having two body segments, eight legs, no chewing mouth parts, no wings, and in many species possessing the ability to spinning webs, which are made of a thin, strong protein strand extruded from spinnerets (most commonly found on the end of the abdomen) and in which their prey is caught. (...) | 300249715 |
| staff | AAT: Long, straight, poles of metal or wood, usually circular in section, that constitute the main bodies of staff weapons, serving as handles and to carry the heads. For the smaller objects of similar form constituting the main bodies of arrows, use "shafts (tool components)." | 300204653 |
| stag | AAT: The male deer, especially of the red deer; specifically a hart or male deer of the fifth year of its life. Also used to refer to a male animal castrated when fully grown, as with cattle, a boar or hog, and other animals. | 300250314 |
| stand | AAT: Objects designed to support or display another object; examples are small tablelike pieces of furniture used for holding or displaying objects. For supporting structures that are designed with and attached to the supported object, use "bases (object components)." | 300039767 |
| standard | AAT: Flags, banners, figures, or other objects displayed or carried as an identifying symbol or rallying-point of a leader, public officer, organization, etc. Examples include banners of noble houses, flags of nations, and the colors of a military unit. | 300251137 |
| standard_buckled post | standard with a triangle on top | |
| standard_disc | disc on top of a standard | |
| standard_disc-in-crescent | Disc lying in a crescent, attached to the upper end of a standard | |
| standard_head(s) | standard with one or two heads on top or impaled on | |
| standard_reed ring | standard consisting of hook-shaped twisted knot of reeds. The symbol of Inanna | |
| standard_ringed pole | multiple rings on both sides of a pole | |
| standard_winged disc | winged disc on top of a standard | |
| star | AAT: Conventionalized figures derived from astronomical stars, having radiating points of any number. | 300009811 |
| star on stand | star motif placed on a stand | |
| star-spade | spade topped by a star motif | |
| storm-god | Storm and thunder god, warrior. Responsible for the positive and negativ effects of storms: Fertility of plants, rain, thunder, storm, hail, flooding, drought. His attribute animals are the lion-griffin and/or the bull. He can be depicted standing on them or putting a foot on them (--> ascending posture), often (depends on region and period) he holds a lightning fork and/or a mace in his hand, in 3rd millennium, he holds a whip. All symbols and attributes are sensory references to the struck of lightning and thunder | |
| sun-god | Sun god. God of justice. Symbol is the sun-disc, in 1st millennium the attribute animal is the horse, sometimes accompanied by bull-men, usually holds a saw (which he uses to cut the mountains open so the sun can emerge every morning), and rays of sunshine/flames emerge from his shoulders. Can ascend in between mountain tops like the sun (esp. 3rd millennium), or can put one foot on a little mountain (--> ascending posture) | |
| table | AAT: Articles of furniture consisting of a flat, slablike top supported on one or more legs or supports. | 300039548 |
| shrine | AAT: Structures or large furnishings in which devotion is paid to a statue, picture, saint, deity or other holy objects. | 300007595 |
| throne | AAT: Ceremonial chairs or seats occupied by a monarch, prelate, or other high dignitary, especially on state or other special occasions; usually placed upon a dais and covered with a canopy. | 300038141 |
| tortoise | AAT: General term referring to members of the Testudines order that are land dwelling rather than aquatic, being four-footed reptiles in which the trunk is enclosed between a carapace and plastron, formed by the dorsal vertebrae, ribs, and sternum; the skin being covered with large horny plates, commonly called the shell. | 300250297 |
| tree | AAT: Woody, perennial plants usually with a single, long, self-supporting stem or trunk, and which grow to a considerable height. | 300132410 |
| two-faced god | ianus faced god, head consisting of two frontal parts and no back of the head. Usually identified as usmu. Rest of the appearance correlates to the common depiction of gods | |
| vase_with_plant | vessel with a plant in it | |
| vessel | AAT: Containers designed to serve as receptacles for a liquid or other substance, usually those of circular section and made of some durable material; especially containers of this nature in domestic use, employed in connection with the preparation or serving of food or drink, and usually of a size suitable for carrying by hand. | 300193015 |
| vessel_overflowing | vessel with two bands of wavy water protruding from its opening, flowing down on each side | |
| victorious king | Human ruler as victorious king, wears a short and active skirt and a brimmed cap, holds a mace to his body, the beard is blown back by the wind as a sign of movement | |
| voluted tree | tree consisting of volutes instead of branches and leaves | |
| watercourse | AAT: Natural or artificial well-defined channels that carry flowing water; may be either produced by the flowing water or artificially designed to carry flowing water. | 300387091 |
| water-god | male deity dentified as Enki/Ea. Mostly depicted seated. Can hold a vessel with protruding waterstreams, or waterstreams can come out of his shoulders. Sometimtes fish swim up from these strems. He can rest his feet on a goat-fish | |
| water-goddess | female deity attributed with water. Can hold a vessel with protruding waterstreams. Sometimtes fish swim up from these strems. | |
| waves | AAT: Movements in the sea or other collection of water, by which a portion of the water rises above the normal level and then subsides, at the same time travelling over the surface; a moving ridge or swell of water between two depressions or troughs. | 300343616 |
| weapon | AAT: Implements or mechanisms used for defense or attack in combat, hunting, or war. | 300036926 |
| wedge | most simple cuneiform sign, non-symmetric triangle | |
| wind-demon | winged creatures, mostly human bodies, lower body can be a twisted snale body with bird feet, sometimes wings instead of arms, sometimes both. The hair is blown back by the wind and the upper body can be bent by 90°. They represent winds and whirlwinds. Can accompany the storm god | |
| winged bull | bull with wings | |
| winged caprid | caprid with wings | |
| winged disc | disc with wings | |
| winged figure | non identifiable figure with wings | |
| winged god | male deity with wings | |
| winged goddess | female deity with wings | |
| winged horse | horse with wings | |
| winged human-headed bull | human-headed bull with wings | |
| winged hybrid | A mixture of two or more beings into a legendary creature. Addition of wings that do not belong to one of the original beings | |
| winged man | male human with wings | |
| winged woman | female human with wings | |
| woman | AAT: Refers to female human beings from young adulthood through old age. | 300025943 |
| zigzag | AAT: Lines or bands composed of a series of chevrons. | 300165028 |
Role
| Term | Definition | Getty AAT ID |
|---|---|---|
| attacker | A human, animal, or hybrid figure exerting (physical) violence against someone. | |
| client | Person or deity in the subordinate position of a patron-client relationship. Such a relationship is one of mutual obligations but always hierarchical. A client may have more than one patron. His status is visually expressed through posture (usually standing), gesture, position and dress. | |
| combatant | A human, animal, or hybrid figure engaged in a fight without obvious outcome. | |
| intermediary | A figure mediating within a patron-client relationship. | |
| patron | Person or deity in the superior position of a patron-client relationship. Such a relationship is one of mutual obligations but always hierarchical. A patron may be obligated to someone of greater power. His/her status is visually expressed through posture (often seated), gesture, position and dress. | |
| victim | A human, animal, or hybrid figure affected by violence perpetrated by another figure. |
Role specification
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
| servant | Diener | human beings (inferior) in dependence to a more powerful human or divine being (superior) | |
| peer | Gleichgestellte:r | beings on the same level of power | |
| attendee | Bittender | worshipper with clasped hands, approaching a patron | |
| kid-carrier | Opferträger mit Zicklein | human being, mostly male, carrying a baby goat as a sacrifice for a superior | |
| suppliant figure | fürbittende Figur | intermediary figure with positive characterisation, benevolent and usually depicted raising both hands before their face | |
| leading figure | führende Figur | human or divine being, leading an inferior to a supperior party | |
| purifying figure | reinigende Figur | human or divine being equiped with tools to purify a being or object. Holding a sprinkle, a bucket and/or a pinecone | |
| libating figure | libierende Figur | human or divine being pouring fluids out of a vessel as an offering, usually in front of a superior at an altar | |
| greeting figure | grüßende Figur | human or divine being with one hand raised in a gesture of welcome or recognition for another party | |
| musician | Musiker | AAT: Those skilled or specializing in the art or practice of music, such as composers, conductors, and performers. | 300025666 |
| dancer | Tänzer | AAT: Those who engage in the activity of dancing or who practice the art of dance, especially as a profession. | 300025653 |
| (cult) object | (Kult)Gegenstand | AAT: Objects that are venerated within a particular system of worship; for those that are, or contain, images, use "cult images." Use especially with regard to extinct cultures and religions; for objects venerated in still-living religions, prefer "religious objects," and if those objects retain their sacredness in their present context, use "sacred objects." | 300178245 |
| (divine) symbol | Göttersymbol, -Emblem | AAT: Visible signs (which can include figures, such as personifications, or objects) that stand for something else, often something abstract or invisible. | 300055878 |
| deified king or figure | vergöttlichte Figur | human figure that is elevated to the rank of deities, marked by specific clothing or headdresses | |
| supporting figure | stützende Figur | figures (human, animal, hybrid or deity) that are pushing another figure up. usually, there are two supporting figures with raised arms, holding each one foot of the supported figure. objects can be supported as well. | |
| draught figure | Zugtier/ Mischwesen | animal or hybrid that is pulling a plough, chariot, or other kind of vehicle | |
| hunter | Jäger | a person who hunts wild animals / engages in a hunt | 300025619 |
| AAT: Those who kill animals as a main occupation for sustenance, livelihood, or sport, to obtain food, material, or trophies. | |||
| prey | Beute(tier) | an animal that is hunted by a hunter | 300249917 |
| flanking figure | flankierende Figur | figures standing on both sides of an object, a standard, or another figure. Can hold the flanked object |
Body orientation
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| frontal | frontal | AAT: Use in relation to something that is facing the viewer. For the sense of being situated at or relating to the front or forward part of something, use "front." | 300121961 |
| perpendicular | senkrecht | AAT: Being at right angles to a given line or plane. | 300010285 |
| profile left | Profil links | AAT (profile): Refers to side views of figures, especially when a clear outline is emphasized. For certain orthographic drawings of objects or structures, use "profiles (orthographic projections)." AAT (left): Describes objects, structures, or spaces, or portions thereof, located to the left of an observer facing in the same direction as the object or space specified. |
300123319 300078785 |
| profile right | Profil rechts | AAT (profile): Refers to side views of figures, especially when a clear outline is emphasized. For certain orthographic drawings of objects or structures, use "profiles (orthographic projections)." AAT (right): Describes objects, structures, or spaces, or portions thereof, located to the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object or space specified. |
300123319 300078823 |
| top view | Aufsicht | AAT: Depictions rendered from a vantage point directly above the object, building, or site, but not so high as an "overhead view." For depictions specifically of a building or site from above, prefer "plan views." | 300264755 |
| upside down | umgedreht | figure turned 180° of its usual position, Basically standing on its head |
Face orientation
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| frontal | Frontal | AAT: Use in relation to something that is facing the viewer. For the sense of being situated at or relating to the front or forward part of something, use "front." | 300121961 |
| head turned backwards | Kopf umgedreht | turning the face in the opposite direction of the body | |
| profile left | Profil links | AAT (profile): Refers to side views of figures, especially when a clear outline is emphasized. For certain orthographic drawings of objects or structures, use "profiles (orthographic projections)." AAT (left): Describes objects, structures, or spaces, or portions thereof, located to the left of an observer facing in the same direction as the object or space specified. |
300123319 300078785 |
| profile right | Profil rechts | AAT (profile): Refers to side views of figures, especially when a clear outline is emphasized. For certain orthographic drawings of objects or structures, use "profiles (orthographic projections)." AAT (right): Describes objects, structures, or spaces, or portions thereof, located to the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object or space specified. |
300123319 300078823 |
| top view | Aufsicht | AAT: Depictions rendered from a vantage point directly above the object, building, or site, but not so high as an "overhead view." For depictions specifically of a building or site from above, prefer "plan views." | 300264755 |
Posture
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| bending over | vorbeugend | The action of bending the upper body towards the ground | |
| hanging | hängend | The action of holding on to something above while being without contact to the ground | |
| hovering | schwebend | The action of floating above ground | |
| kneeling | kniend | AAT: The act or posture of falling or resting on one's knees. | 300265356 |
| leaping | springend | The action of jumping while moving quickly | |
| lying | liegend | The action of resting the body completely on the ground | |
| rampant | aufrichtend | a quadruped animal standing on his hind legs and having its front legs in the air | |
| recumbent | ruhend | in the process of lying down | |
| running | rennend | AAT: The action of a person or animal using their legs to go faster than a walk, specifically to go steadily by springing steps so that both or all feet leave the ground for an instant in each step. May be employed as a competitive sport. | 300239496 |
| sitting | sitzend | AAT: The act of placing oneself upon an object or the ground so that the weight of the body is on the posterior. Term may modify a representation of a figure in a seated posture. | 300263970 |
| squatting | hockend | crouch or sit with one's knees bent and one's heels close to or touching one's buttocks or the back of one's thighs | |
| standing | stehend | AAT: For a person or bipedal animal, having the torso in an erect position supported by straight legs. For a quadrupedal animal, having the body supported by four straight legs. For an object, positioned in an erect, upright position, perhaps having the support of a base or stand, but without the support of a wall or other attached architectural element. | 300239500 |
| stepping on | auf etwas tretend | putting one foot on a small object, animal or natural formation. Creating an ascending posture |
Gesture
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| arm hanging down | Arm herabhängen | letting an extremity of the upper body loose | |
| clasping hands | Hände zusammenlegen | joining both hands and interlocking fingers | |
| embracing | umarmen | The action of clasping in one's arms, usually referring to one person holding another person as a sign of fondness or friendship. | 300343597 |
| extending arm | Arm ausstrecken | reaching out with one of the upper body extremities | |
| grasping | greifen | to get a hold of something (by force) | |
| grasping ankle | Knöchel greifen | to get a hold of the joint between foot and leg | |
| grasping wrist | Handgelenk greifen | to get a hold of the joint connecting the hand and the forearm | |
| holding sth | etwas halten | grasp, carry or support something with one's hands | |
| leading so. | jemanden führen | taking the hand of someone in order to cause this party to follow | |
| pouring liquid | Flüssigkeit ausgießen | Causing a liquid, fluid, or anything in loose particles to flow or fall. | 300250952 |
| raising both hands | beide Hände erheben | lifting the hands higher than chest level | |
| raising one hand | eine Hand erheben | lifting one hand higher than chest level | |
| smiting | zuschlagen | the action of striking (a weapon) with force, usually when held above the head, in the moment of moving downwards | |
| supporting sth | etwas stützen | holding sth from below, trying to uplift it | |
| tied up | gefesselt | restricted by ropes, extremities are bound and cannot move anymore |
Personal attributes
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| animal | Tier | AAT: Kingdom containing multicellular organisms having cells bound by a plasma membrane and organized into tissue and specialized tissue systems that permit them to either move about in search of food or to draw food toward themselves. Unable to make their own food within themselves, as photosynthetic plants do, they rely on consuming preformed food. They possess a nervous system with sensory and motor nerves, enabling them to receive environmental stimuli and to respond with specialized movements. | 300249395 |
| arrow | Pfeil | AAT: Projectiles generally consisting of a straight, slender shaft with a sharp point or carrying a sharp edged or pointed head of stone or metal, shot from a bow. More developed versions also have flights near the butt to stabilize their trajectory. | 300036976 |
| axe | Axt | Cutting weapons consisting basically of a relatively heavy, flat blade fixed to a handle, wielded by either striking or throwing. For axes used for other purposes, typically having narrower blades, use "axes (tools)." | 300036982 |
| bag | Tasche | Containers or receptacles of leather, cloth, paper, or other flexible material, often capable of being closed at the mouth. For ladies' bags intended to carry personal articles, use "bags (costume accessories)." For large containers of cloth or plastic for carrying, transporting, or storing produce and other items, use "sacks." | 300194509 |
| barley stalk | Getreideähre | Material comprising the stem or main axis of a plant. | 300011904 |
| bird | Vogel | AAT: The class of vertebrate animals that are typically bipedal and warm-blooded, lay large-yolked hardshelled eggs, often arboreal, and possessing feathers, hollow bones, forelimbs adapted for flight (although some have lost the ability to fly) and hindlimbs for perching and locomotion, a four-chambered heart, keen vision, a horny beak without teeth, and a large muscular stomach. Birds arose from theropod dinosaurs, which were an order of carnivorous dinosaurs. | 300266506 |
| bow | Bogen | AAT: Stringed projectile weapons designed to propel arrows, generally consisting of a long stave of wood, metal, fiberglass, or other flexible material, with a length of strong string fastened to the tips of the stave which is bent in a curve, either permanently or from the tension of the string. The string is drawn back, holding the arrow by means of a notch in its rear tip, and propels the arrow upon release. | 300036999 |
| bucket | Eimer | Typically, round wooden vessels for drawing water from a well; also, any comparable vessel for catching, holding, or carrying liquids or solids. | 300045651 |
| bull | Stier | Adult males of cattle, oxen, or taurine animal in general. | 300250117 |
| bull-man | Stiermensch | Figure consisting of a human torso, the lower part of a bull, and a human bearded face with horns | 0 |
| chariot | Streitwagen | AAT: Ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman animal-drawn, wheeled vehicles with a wide range of uses and forms, usually driven from the standing position and most often with two wheels; probably developed in Mesopotamia around the early 3rd millenium and could be pulled by up to ten animals. | 300212699 |
| crescent-staff | Monsichel-Stab | staff topped with a crescent | 0 |
| crook | Krummstab | AAT: Objects consisting of a long shaft with a bent or hooked end, usually of wood or metal, that are used to catch or hold another object, especially those used to restrain livestock or to gather hay while reaping. Employed in some cultures as a symbolic or ritual object, such as those used by the Yona Society of the Dogon people, in Mali. | 300262271 |
| cup | Becher | AAT: Open bowl-shaped vessels, used chiefly for drinking, often having one handle, but sometimes two handles or none, generally on a low foot-ring; also includes similar bowl-shaped vessels, generally without handles, resting on a stem and supported by a spreading foot. Occasionally made with a lid. | 300043202 |
| dagger | Dolch | AAT: Weapons with a short, double-edged, sharp-pointed blade and a grip, used for stabbing or parrying. | 300037058 |
| dais | Podium | AAT: Raised indoor platforms at or along one end of halls or similar large rooms as places of honor or prominence, as would be reserved for dignitaries, officers, or speakers. For, usually smaller, indoor or outdoor raised platforms used by speakers or conductors, prefer "podiums (platforms)." | 300249288 |
| disc-in-crescent-standard | disc-in-crescent Standarte | Disc lying in a crescent, attached to the upper end of a standard | 0 |
| fan | Fächer | AAT: Implements used to produce a current of air for individual use; also objects in the form of such implements, but intended to serve as ceremonial or decorative accessories; may be rigid or collapsible. The operation of the fan may be done by oneself or the fan may be held by another to benefit the recipient. | 300258857 |
| flower | Blume | AAT: The reproductive portions of any plant in the division Angiospermae, flowering plants. As popularly used, the term "flower" especially applies when part or all of the reproductive structure is distinctive in color and form. | 300132399 |
| flute | Flöte | AAT: Generally refers to any musical wind instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder or pipe of wood, metal, or another material, with holes along its length that are stopped by the fingers or by keys that are opened by the fingers. Although most flutes are tubular, some are globular (as with a gourd flute). A flute is sounded by a stream of air from the player's lips striking against the sharp edge of an opening, breaking the air up and vibrating within the enclosed space. The air may be blown in from an end or from the side, depending upon the type of flute. Many, but not all, modern flutes are equipped with the Boehm system of keywork. | 300042513 |
| gazelle | Gazelle | AAT: Genus containing about 12 species and more than 50 recognized forms of graceful antelopes found on open plains and semideserts from Mongolia westward to the Atlantic coast of North Africa and throughout eastern and central tropical Africa. Three members of the genus Procapra are also commonly referred to as gazelles. | 300250197 |
| goat | Ziege | AAT: Genus of ruminant, hollow-horned mammals containing seven to nine species, including the wild goat, ibexes, the markhor, and the subspecies of domestic goat. The classification of goats is in flux based on new DNA research, and in some older classifications includes Ovis (sheep) and Ammotragus (Barbary Sheep), which are separate genera in other classifications. The Rocky Mountain goat is a separate genus, Oreamnos. | 300250122 |
| goat-fish | Ziegenfisch | Legendary creature with the upper body of a goat and the lower body of a fish | 0 |
| human-headed bull | menschenköpfiger Stier | Bull with the head of a human man, usually long beard and horns | 0 |
| kid | Zicklein | AAT: Baby goats. | 300379382 |
| libation beaker | Libationsbecher | AAT: Vessels used during libation rituals: the pouring of a liquid as an offering to a god. These vessels often have a significant shape which set them apart from secular vessels, though libation vessels appear in varied forms. | 300404019 |
| leash | Leine | a string attached to a human or animal, attached at the nose or lip, to have control over it | 300428068 |
| lightning fork | Blitzgabel | Symbol of the Storm-god. The Fork can have 2 or 2 prongs, very rarely 4. Can be held by the god or stand freely in the scene | 0 |
| lion | Löwe | AAT: Large, powerful species of cat that is well-muscled, with a large head, short legs, size and appearance that varies considerably between the sexes, and is unique among the cats in living in family groups or prides. In the Pleistocene, lions were the most widespread large land mammals, ranging throughout Eurasia, Africa, and North America. Today listed as Vulnerable, remaining only in fragmented populations remain in Sub-Saharan Africa and western India. | 300310388 |
| lion-griffin | Löwengreif | winged lion, the feet of the back and the wings are those of a griffin | 0 |
| lion-mace | Löwenkopfkeule | a double lion-headed mace, lion heads on both sides of the mace, held by warrior gods | 0 |
| lion-scimitar | Löwenkrummschwert | Scimitar with a lion's head on top of it | 0 |
| lute | Laute | AAT: Use specifically for plucked chordophones developed in the European Renaissance, having a large pear-shaped body composed of thin, narrow ribs, a flat top, central circular soundhole covered by a rose, and from seven to ten frets on the neck. For the general class of all chordophones with the plane of the strings running parallel to the resonator and a neck that serves both as string bearer and as handle, see "lutelike chordophones." | 300042101 |
| lyre | Leier | Chordophones with strings attached to a yoke, consisting of two arms and a crossbar, that lies in the same plane as the soundbox. | 300042114 |
| mace | Keule | Clubs with the top, rounded and enlarged part usually made out of stone. The handle most likely was made out of wood. AAT: Clubs used throughout Europe mainly from the 11th to the 17th century, made either entirely of metal or of a wooden shaft with a metal head, the head having longitudinal grooves or flanges and sometimes surmounted by a spike. |
300037214 |
| man | Mann | AAT: Refers to male human beings from young adulthood through old age. | 300025928 |
| man's head | Kopf eines Mannes | severed head of a male human | |
| mountain | Berg | AAT: Prominent landforms rising considerably above the surrounding area, typically having steep slopes, a sharp summit area, and large mass. Mountains rarely occur individually, and in most cases, are found in ranges, chains, or systems. | 300008795 |
| plough | Pflug | Agricultural tools used for cutting, lifting, turning over, and partly pulverizing the soil, especially in the preparation of a seedbed. | 300233317 |
| quivers | Köcher | Deep containers made of metal, wood, or leather, used for holding and carrying arrows, typically worn slung across the back. | 300036930 |
| rabbit | Hase | AAT: General term referring to mammals belonging to any of several genera containing around 30 species of Leporids, having long ears, a divided upper lip, and long hind legs adopated for leaping, differing from hares in being smaller and having thier young born naked and blind. | 300250218 |
| ram | Widder | AAT: Adult male uncastrated sheep. | 300250287 |
| rays | Strahlen | radiating lines of light off of a celestial or divine body | |
| ring | Ring | Circular band of metal, mostly worn on fingers AAT: Circular objects made of various materials and in various sizes, used in many different contexts and applications. | 300046012 |
| rod | Stab | AAT: Straight, slender, usually cylindrical stick staff or wand. | 300014669 |
| rod-and-ring | Stab und Ring | symbol of reign, held by deities exclusively | |
| rod-with-balls | Kugelstab | staff equiped with several spheres, usually at the upper ends | 0 |
| sarcophagus | Sarkophag | AAT: Coffins made of stone or terracotta, generally ornamented with sculpture or carving and of a size large enough to contain the entire body. Antique examples were often extensively decorated with relief sculpture, which were highly influential on Renaissance artists. Many sarcophagi were also produced in the Baroque and Neoclassical eras. Pliny explains that the derivation of the word ("flesh eating" in Greek) refers specifically to coffins of limestone from the Troad (the region around Troy), which was believed to cause rapid dissolving of the body; more probably, the term refers to various religious and folkloristic ideas that resulted in calling any coffin a body eater. The word came into general use as the name for any large stone coffin in imperial Rome, and is now generally used to refer to large, ornate stone coffins from any period or place. | 300005947 |
| saw | Säge | AAT: Cutting tools having thin, flat metal blades, bands, or stiff plates with cutting teeth along the edges. Used to cut wood, metal, or other materials. | 300024671 |
| scimitar | Krummschwert | AAT: Sabers with strongly curved blades tapering to a sharp point, traditionally associated with the Near East. | 300037089 |
| shield | Schild | AAT: General term for armor pieces carried in the hand or on the arm, used to parry an opponent's blows or provide shelter from projectiles. They have existed worldwide throughout history in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. | 300036869 |
| snake-dragon | Schlangendrache | snake body, horns, lion's forelegs, bird's hindlegs. Associated with several deities, most prominently Marduk. | 0 |
| spear | Speer | AAT: Simple staff weapons having a sharp-pointed head and no auxiliary blades or points, used both in warfare and hunting since ancient times in many cultures and regions. Various forms have been designed for thrusting or throwing or both. | 300037038 |
| sprinkler | Sprinkler | AAT: Instruments, usually of metal attached to an absorbent material, for the sprinkling of holy water. In the Western church, the aspergillum is composed of a handle surmounted by a perforated ball, sponge, or brush-like end to hold water. Some have sponges or internal reservoirs that dispense holy water when shaken, while others must periodically be dipped in "aspersoriums (vessels)." The tool was originally made of branches of hyssop, palm, or boxwood, wisps of straw, or the tail of a fox (in Old French the fox was called "goupil"). By the 13th century the aspergillum assumed the modern Western form of a handle surmounted by a rose-shape covered with bristles; the handles of the sprinklers came to be very richly ornamented. In the Greek Orthodox Church the aspergillum is a standing vessel with a tapering lid perforated with holes for sprinkling; in the Russian Orthodox Church, it is a whisk made of cloth, hair, or sprigs of basil. The tool was derived from ancient sources, where branches were used to sprinkle water, blood, or another liquid in rituals. Such tools were used in ancient Rome, the Middle East, ancient Norse rituals, and elsewhere. | 300298908 |
| staff | Stab | AAT: Long, straight, poles of metal or wood, usually circular in section, that constitute the main bodies of staff weapons, serving as handles and to carry the heads. For the smaller objects of similar form constituting the main bodies of arrows, use "shafts (tool components)." | 300204653 |
| standard | Standarte | AAT: Flags, banners, figures, or other objects displayed or carried as an identifying symbol or rallying-point of a leader, public officer, organization, etc. Examples include banners of noble houses, flags of nations, and the colors of a military unit. | 300251137 |
| star-staff | Sternenstab | staff mounted with a star | |
| sword | Schwert | AAT: Edged weapons consisting basically of a blade, generally longer than that of daggers or knives, and a grip; designed for delivering cutting or thrusting blows or both. | 300037048 |
| throne | Thron | AAT: Ceremonial chairs or seats occupied by a monarch, prelate, or other high dignitary, especially on state or other special occasions; usually placed upon a dais and covered with a canopy. | 300038141 |
| vessel | Gefäß | AAT: Containers designed to serve as receptacles for a liquid or other substance, usually those of circular section and made of some durable material; especially containers of this nature in domestic use, employed in connection with the preparation or serving of food or drink, and usually of a size suitable for carrying by hand. | 300193015 |
| vessel_overflowing | übersprudelndes Gefäß | vessel with two bands of wavy water protruding from its opening, flowing down on each side | 0 |
| wedge | Keil | most simple cuneiform sign, non-symmetric triangle | 0 |
| whip | Peitsche | AAT: Instruments consisting of an often rigid handle and a flexible lash or lashes made of cord or leather, used for disciplinary action, torture, or weapons against animals or humans. | 300255555 |
| whirling mace | wirbelnde Keule | mace in the moment of being whirled, creating an optical illusion of a bouquet of maces | |
| yoke | Joch | AAT: Bars that rest on the shoulders to allow drawing, plowing, or load carrying. | 300255560 |
Position of attributes
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| both hands | beide Hände | held in both hands | |
| feet | Füße | attributes touched by the feet | |
| left hand | linke Hand | held only with the left hand | |
| right hand | rechte Hand | held only with the right hand |
Beard Style
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| long beard | langer Bart | long beard that reaches down to the chest or deeper | |
| short beard | kurzer Bart | short beard that does not reach down over the throat | |
| splaying beard | verwehter Bart | long beard that is blown back by wind |
Hairstyle
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| bald | glatzköpfig | without any hair on the head | |
| bald with forehead-curl | glatzköpfig mit Locke an der Stirn | having no hair on the head except for one strand forming a curl on the forehead | |
| curls | Locken | lock of hair in the form of a spiral | |
| long and loose | lang und offen | natural long and straight hair, falling down the shoulder without any equipment | |
| short | kurz | hair cut to a length of a few centimeters | |
| tied-up | hochgebunden | long hair bound together and fixed up at the back of the head to not touch the neck | |
| wind-blown | sturmverweht | hair that is blown back by a gust of wind | |
| long curl on back | lange Locke | long hair that is depicted as one strand that is falling down the back and is curling up at the end | |
| pigtail | Pferdeschwanz | hair that is tied together at the back of the head and falls down the back |
Headdress
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| brimmed cap | Breitrandkappe | simple headdress with a very large brim that is turned up | |
| cap or hair | Kappe oder Hair | a simple cap that is so tight to the head, that it is not safe to decide if it is actually the cap or just hair | |
| conical cap | konische Kappe | high cap that is circular at its base and ends up in a point | |
| crested cap or spiky hair | Kappe mit Kamm oder stachelige Haare | a cap with a comb, feathers or another embelishment on top to make the headdress more elaborate. often it is not sure if it is this cap or spiky hair |
|
| cylindrical (horned) headdress | zylindrische Kopfbedeckung (mit Hörnern) | headdress in the shape of a cylinder, like a top hat without the brim, can be adorned by horns at the bottom | |
| egyptian_crown_atef | atef Krone | white crown with ostrich feathers on the sides | |
| egyptian_crown_blue | Blaue Krone | blue crown (khepresh) worn by pharaos of the New Kingdom in battle and ceremonies | |
| egyptian_crown_hemhem | Hemhem Krone | Ceremonial crown of a triple atef on top of corkscrew sheep horns and usually two uraei on the side | |
| egyptian_crown_red | Rote Krone | red crown (deshret) of the pharaos of Lower Egypt | |
| egyptian_crown_white | Weiße Krone | white crown (hedjet) of the pharaos of Upper Egypt | |
| egyptian_crown_double | Doppelte Krone | combination of white and red crown, pharao of all egypt | |
| high rounded hat | hohe, runde Kappe | a very high cap with a rounded top | |
| horned headdress | Hörnerkrone | crown of (multiple) row(s) of bull horns, worn by deities and deified beings. Mostly conical, but can be cylindrical, depending on period | |
| kerchief | Kopftuch | AAT: Square or triangular headcloths worn as a covering for the head. | 300046122 |
| pointed cap | spitze Kappe | cap that ends at one point at the top, not as high as a conical cap | |
| square hat | eckiger Hut | square shaped hat | |
| high oval cap | hohe, ovale Kappe | very high cap that is oval at its upper end | |
| horned headdress with a pointed top | Hörnerkrone mit Spitze | horned headdress with multiple or one row of horns that ends in a pointy top | |
| round cap with uraeus | Runde Kappe mit Uräus | a simple and round cap that is adorned with an egyptian uraeus at the front at the forehead |
Clothing
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| long open robe | langes Schlitzgewand | long robe with a high slit for extra movement of the legs | |
| long open skirt | langer Schlitzrock | long skirt with a high slit for extra movement of the legs | |
| long robe | langes Gewand | long robe covering almost the entire body AAT: Long, loose garments that tend to be of one piece and to open down the front. |
300209852 |
| long skirt | langer Rock | long skirt covering the complete legs to the feet AAT: Extra long skirts that usually extend to the ankle. Also, similar components of a dress, coat, or the like. |
300221718 |
| naked | nackt | AAT: The absence of clothes in which the absence implies embarrassment at being deprived of clothes or in which the depiction of the nude is intended to cause embarrassment or salacious feelings in the viewer. | 300343439 |
| short robe | kurzes Gewand | short robe that reaches until the the upper thighs or kneecap AAT: Long, loose garments that tend to be of one piece and to open down the front. |
300209852 |
| short skirt | Schurz | skirt that only covers the upper part of the legs AAT: Very short skirts that usually extend to mid-thigh |
300209924 |
| short skirt with shawl | Schurz mit Schal | short skirt adorned with fringes of ashwal that was wrapped around the skirt | |
| tunic with wrapped shawl | Tunika mit umgewickeltem Schal | short robe with a shawl with elaborate fringes wrapped around AAT Tunic:Simple slip-on garments made with or without sleeves and usually knee-length or longer and belted at the waist AAT Shawl: Large pieces of square, oblong, or triangular cloth worn over main garments as a covering for the shoulders and arms. |
300209869 (tunic) 300209991 (shawl) |
| open mantel | offener Mantel | AAT: General term for a form of outerwear of differing lengths and having some shaping. | 300212298 |
Cloth
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| flounced | mit Zotten/Falbeln | A woollen mantle or skirt. It was woven in a tufted pattern suggesting overlapping petals or feathers, either by sewing tufts onto the garment or by weaving loops into the fabric. (Def. slightly adapted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaunakes) | |
| net-pattern | Netz-Struktur | AAT: A mesh fabric made from threads or cords that are knotted or woven at regular intervals. Nets were originally made by hand, but are now typically machine woven. Net may range from a lace-like fabric to coarse nets used for sports equipment and hunting. For the objects consisting of meshed arrangements of threads, cords, or ropes that have been twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals, use "nets (objects)." | 300249438 |
| ornamented fringe | verzierter Saum | The borders of a garment that are in some way enhanced by ornaments, eg. a certain pattern, tassels, etc. AAT (fringe): Trimming consisting of long or short lengths of straight or twisted thread, cord, or tassel; often grouped or knotted in various designs. |
300227830 |
| pleated | gefältelt | A garment that was enhanced by pleating. AAT (pleating): Double folding a definite, even width of fabric and fixing it in place by sewing or pressing or both. |
300228556 |
| striped | A garment divided or ornamented with stripes AAT (stripes): Long, narrow bands, typically of a different color. |
300010230 |
Sex / gender
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| female | weiblich | AAT: Referring to the sex that normally produces eggs or female germ cells. | 300189557 |
| male | männlich | AAT: Referring to the sex that in reproduction normally produces sperm cells or male gametes. | 300189559 |
Jewellery
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| anklet | Fußreif | AAT: Ornamental bands, rings, or chains worn around the ankle. | 300209294 |
| bracelet | Armreif | AAT: Ornamental bands or circlets worn on the lower arm. Use "armlets" for similar articles worn on the upper arm. | 300045991 |
| counterweight | Gegengewicht | weight used as a balance. it is attached to a heavy necklace and hangs down the neck of the person wearing the jewellery to keep her upright | 300045991 |
| girdle | Gürtel | AAT: Narrow belts, cords, sashes or the like, usually decorative and worn at the waist to fasten or confine garments or as a means of carrying small objects such as purses or keys. | 300220741 |
| necklace | Halskette | AAT: Ornaments worn around the neck, usually in the form of chains or strands of beads, pearls, stones, or decorative or precious materials, and often including a suspended ornamental pendant. Use "chokers" for short, narrow necklaces worn close to the throat. Use "dog collars (necklaces)" for wide ornamental bands worn tightly around the neck. | 300046001 |
| pendant | Anhänger | AAT: Articles of jewelry designed to be suspended, such as from a necklace, brooch, or earrings. Examples include Renaissance pendants fastened to the sleeve and articles of devotional, magical, or mourning jewelry concealed under clothing. | 300046002 |
Footwear
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| upturned shoes | Schnabelschuhe | AAT: Shoes or boots made with an extremely long pointed toe and worn in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. May also refer to toes of such footwear. | 300046064 |
Inscription
| English | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|
| framed | written signs placed in a circumscibed box ("seal legend") | |
| unframed | written signs appear without framing |
Inscription orientation
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| horizontal | horizontal | AAT: Parallel relationships to a horizontal axis in designs for graphic works, objects, and structures. | 300065463 |
| vertical | vertikal | AAT: Parallel relationships to a vertical axis in designs for graphic works, objects, and structures. | 300056325 |
Rework
| English | German | Definition | AAT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| erased | ausradiert | AAT: Refers to the action of effacing, rubbing out, or removing something written, drawn, engraved, or recorded on any media. | 300053088 |
| recut | nachgeschnitten | AAT: Altering an object by repeating a process that has already been applied to the object. | 300252666 |
| unfinished | unfertig | AAT: The state of not being finished or completed. Includes the sense of intentionally not being brought to what is usually considered to be a final state of completion. | 300221288 |
