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Post by Andorinha on Nov 18, 2012 11:00:45 GMT -6
LOL, "curiouser and curiouser." Apparently dwarfism has a worldwide tendency, in ancient cultures, to be regarded as something mystical/ magical in itself. Paralleling the Egyptian sources you gave us, Stormrider, are reports from the Maya culture: Dwarfs commonly appear in Late Classic [Maya] art in both temporal (V. Miller, 1985) and supernatural contexts (Houston, 1992). V. Miller (1985: 148) points out that artists often depict some dwarfs wearing luxurious garb, such as jaguar pelts and jade, typically associated with costumes of the highest classes of Maya society. Given the possibility that dwarfs possessed high ranks and frequently appear in courtly settings, they probably would have been seen as high-status captives if captured in war. (cited from Kaylee Rae Spencer Framing the Portrait: Towards an Understanding of Elite Late Classic Maya, 2007 p. 168) Well, maybe this explains the apparent high status of the dwarves in Tolkien's The Hobbit, and their fanciful/ colorful costumes decorated with belts of gold and silver tassels? |
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Post by Stormrider on Nov 18, 2012 21:49:03 GMT -6
I think so! After all, they were miners who found many different types of ores and gems while mining including the fabulous mithril! They made many beautiful things with the ores and gems not just for themselves, but for other races. Certainly they had the means to dress elegantly.
Aside from being shorter in stature and rather hairier than most races, Dwarves seem to be very well acclimated and able to provide for themselves in Middle-earth. Perhaps the decision to keep their beards, mustaches, and hair longer is a fashion statement or one that showed their status or seniority among other dwarves. Maybe trimming their hair was similar to the Chinese losing their status or importance if their long braids were cut off. Cripes! Even the female Dwarves are said to by hairy!
Peter Dinklage (I think that is his name) as one of the lead characters (Terion Lannister) in the mini TV series production based on George R R Martin's Game of Thrones books, is doing a great job in that role. He has been dressed in many richly designed outfits but his character is knicknamed "The Imp" and he is not a different race as JRRT's Dwarves are but a normal man that his father has shunned because of his dwarfism. (He doesn't sport a beard, mustache, or long hair) He comes from a rich family so he is provided for because of that but has learned to use his brains and his wits to play The Game of Thrones along with and against the other lead characters. It seems that Dwarves are not well thought of in those books/movies and more to be shunned or ridiculed and taken advantage of. Because of his rich family, Terion has an edge but he is always trying to get his father's, brother's, and sister's approval.
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Post by Andorinha on Nov 19, 2012 14:14:17 GMT -6
RE Stormrider's: "It seems that Dwarves are not well thought of in those books/movies and more to be shunned or ridiculed and taken advantage of."
Yeah, there is that side of being a dwarf even in Middle-earth. The Petty Dwarves," like Mim, are definitely "taken advantage of," despised, even hunted by the Elves for some sort of perverse "sport."
Hmm, I need to check out Martin's series, heard of it, but never read any of it...
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