Inca and Egyptian Figurines

Metal and faience figurines depicting humans from different ancient cultures, showcasing traditional attire and cultural details.

Spouted Vessel 13th-15th century Huastec The vessel is in the shape of a human head with wide open, staring eyes, a small pug nose, and closed mouth. A lip plug is worn in the lower lip. A handle extends from the forehead to the back of the head. On the right side behind the ear projects a single spout pointing upward. On the sides of the face and back of the head the cream-colored surface is covered with geometric motifs including dots, circles, diamonds and crosses in dark brown and purple.. Spouted Vessel. Huastec. 13th-15th century. Ceramic. Mexico, Mesoamerica, Veracruz. Ceramics-Containers

Assets in this Story

Male Figurine 1400-1533 Inca This hollow figurine is comprised of eight pieces of metal sheet that have been joined together. It depicts a man standing upright, dressed only in a llautu, a braided headdress that was worn by the Inca ruler and nobles; otherwise, he is shown naked. The details of his eyes, nose, and mouth, along with extended earlobes that suggest they could have accommodated spools, and pose with arms and hands tucked into the chest, are all standard among Inca human male figurines made of metal. Furthermore, there is a quid of coca represented as a small, raised, circular region to the proper left of the mouth. The presence of this feature and its location is consistent among Inca male figurines in metal. Coca chewing and blowing is a process through which Andean peoples strengthened relationships with the natural environment and among themselves (Allen 2002). These figurines are considered sacred beings, or huacas in the Quechua and Aymara languages, that may have bee

Amulet of Horus (), 380-30 BC. Egypt, Dynasty 30 to Ptolemaic Dynasty. Gray green faience; overall: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.).

Pedestal Sculpture with SeatedFeline. Artist: Unknown

Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb ca. 990-970 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 25.3.19.. Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb 591093

Statuette: Seated Mummiform Deity, 664-525 BC. Egypt, Late Period, Dynasty 26 or later. Bronze, solid cast; overall: 20.1 x 9.2 x 13.2 cm (7 15/16 x 3 5/8 x 5 3/16 in.).

Seated Female Figure 1st-3rd century Lagunillas. Seated Female Figure 318986

Whistle 300-200 B.C. Paracas. Whistle 505628

Spouted Vessel 13th-15th century Huastec The vessel is in the shape of a human head with wide open, staring eyes, a small pug nose, and closed mouth. A lip plug is worn in the lower lip. A handle extends from the forehead to the back of the head. On the right side behind the ear projects a single spout pointing upward. On the sides of the face and back of the head the cream-colored surface is covered with geometric motifs including dots, circles, diamonds and crosses in dark brown and purple.. Spouted Vessel. Huastec. 13th-15th century. Ceramic. Mexico, Mesoamerica, Veracruz. Ceramics-Containers

Statuette of Osiris, 1295-1069 BC. Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasties 19 (1295-1186 BC) -20 (1186-1069). Painted terracotta; overall: 17.2 x 5.6 x 3.2 cm (6 3/4 x 2 3/16 x 1 1/4 in.).

Horus amulet 664-30 B.C. Late Period-Ptolemaic Period. Horus amulet 570313

Finial (Cervid). Western Inner Mongolia, 5th-3rd century B.C.. Architecture; Architectural Elements. Bronze

Standing Female Figurine. Chupícuaro; Guanajuato or Michoacán, Mexico. Date: 500 BC-300 BC. Dimensions: H. 6 cm (2 3/8 in.). Ceramic and pigment. Origin: Chupícuaro. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Amulet - Bes. unknown, author

Thoth Amulet. Egypt, Late Period - Ptolemaic Period (724 - 30 BCE). Jewelry and Adornments; amulets. Faience light blue

Ceremonial Knife (Tumi) 12th-15th century Chimú The Moche people of northern Peru (first-seventh century) were among the first to use copper, often with the addition of arsenic to harden the metal and improve the quality of the cast. Moche metalworkers hammered most of their precious metalsgold and silverinto objects of sheet metal, but many works in copper were cast by the lost-wax technique. The Chimú people, who made this ceremonial knife, inherited the rich cultural and artistic traditions developed by the earlier Moche. Clearly a ritual object, indicated by the delicate, projecting details and attractive silhouette, the knife has a semicircular blade. The flat undulating shaft is embellished with circles in relief; stylized birds project from its sides. At the top is a human head wearing a headdress with mushroom shapes. The detailed facial featureswide staring eyes and open mouth framed by age wrinklesgive the face a startled look. The holes in the earlobes once held ornament

Canopic Coffin in the form of Hapy ca. 924-889 B.C. Third Intermediate Period. Canopic Coffin in the form of Hapy 559931

Figurine, 2nd-8th century, 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 2 in. (10.8 x 6.35 x 5.08 cm), Earthenware, Peru, 2nd-8th century

Whistle. Culture: Paracas. Dimensions: H: 5.9cm (2 5/16in.). Date: 300-200 B.C.. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Close Helmet. Culture: Italian, Milan or Brescia. Dimensions: H. 11 3/4 in. (29.9 cm); W. 14 in. (35.6 cm); D. 14 in. (35.6 cm); Wt. 6 lb. 14 oz. (3128 g). Date: ca. 1550.The fantastic appearance of this helmet, with its visor shaped like a griffin's head and the comb of the bowl raised into the form of a serpent's body, indicates that it was part of an elaborate pageant armor. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Female Figurine with Headdress, 1200-900 BC. Mexico, Tlatilco, type D1. Pottery with traces of white and red pigment; overall: 11.2 x 3.7 x 4.2 cm (4 7/16 x 1 7/16 x 1 5/8 in.).

Women's head - a fragment of the figurine; III-II century BC () (-300-00-00--201-00-00);

Spuier in the form of a Makara, 975 - 1025 Spuier in the form of a Makara with a representation of a mourning sitting woman in his mouth and a monkey between the rocks. Indonesia extrusive rock. andesite Spuier in the form of a Makara with a representation of a mourning sitting woman in his mouth and a monkey between the rocks. Indonesia extrusive rock. andesite

Head of a Female. Preclassic period; Mexico or Guatemala. Date: 650 BC-550 BC. Dimensions: . Ceramic and pigment. Origin: Mexico. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Mask 1st-8th century Mezcala. Mask 314592

Male Head. Afghanistan, 4th-5th century. Sculpture. Terracotta

Greek art. Spain. Catalonia. Oenochoe, wine jug. Found in Empuries. 5th century BC. Archaeological Museum of Catalonia. Girona.

Stirrup Spout Bottle with Seated Figure. Culture: Moche. Dimensions: Overall: 8 7/8 x 5 1/8 in. (22.54 x 13 cm)Other: 5 1/8 in. (13 cm). Date: 5th-7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Fragment (from the altar cabinet); (possibly) belonging to the retable of Soest ..

Woman figurine; 5th century BC (-500-00-00--401-00-00);

Figure of Entertainer. Culture: China. Dimensions: H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm).The musical instruments depicted among this group of pottery figures (36.12.1, .2, .10-.13, .16) are typical of those used in popular music of the Han period (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). The instruments all had long histories, having existed for centuries, in the case of the zither, or millennia, in the case of the flute (now missing from the figure of the flutist). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Limestone statuette of Pan Cypriot A schematic nebris, knotted on the chest, covers the shoulders. There are goat ears and small horns.. Limestone statuette of Pan 242284

anthropomorphic idol anthropomorphic idol, 2600-2300 BC, ivory, Perdigoes, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Évora, Portugal, Huelva Museum, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain Copyright: xZoonar.com/TOLOxBALAGUERx 21720734

Limestone statuette of a male votary with Cypriot shorts and a diadem 2nd quarter or middle of the 6th century B.C. Cypriot Votary with Cypriot loin-cloth on which there is a rosette.. Limestone statuette of a male votary with Cypriot shorts and a diadem 242119

Lamp, Anatolia; 1st century B.C. - 4th century A.D; Terracotta; 3 x 7 x 13 cm (1 3,16 x 2 3,4 x 5 1,8 in.)

Jar Stopper(Guri-Guri)

Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb ca. 990-970 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 25.3.19.. Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb 591033

Seated Figure

Shawabty of Ditamenpaankh, 715-656 BC. Egypt, Late Period, Dynasty 25. Terracotta; overall: 6.8 x 2.6 x 1.6 cm (2 11/16 x 1 x 5/8 in.). High demand for shawabtys in the Late Period, a time when as many as 400 or more shawabtys were placed in the tomb with the deceased, gave rise to a specialized container for storing them: the shawabty box. This example is inscribed for the lady of the house, Ditamenpaankh, and was probably one of a pair originally made for her. The single-masted boat on the box's lid is perhaps an allusion to the pilgrimage of the deceased to the holy city of Abydos, the cult city of Osiris, king of the dead. The shawabtys inside are crude, mass-produced examples cast in an open mold. Made of terracotta, their blue paint imitates more costly shawabtys made of faience. As for the shawabty spell, it has been removed from its traditional location on the shawabty's front and relocated onto the sides of box, where it needed only to be written once, thus expediting product

Worker Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nany 625731

Pectoral. Classic Maya; Mexico or Guatemala. Date: 200 AD-800 AD. Dimensions: 7 × 7 cm (2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in.). Jadeite. Origin: Mexico. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Jar in the Form of an Anthropomorphic Seal Playing a Drum Made 100 BCE-500 CE North Coast. Ceramic and pigment . Moche

Head, 600-1100. Mexico, Classic Veracruz (Totonac or Tajin). Stone; overall: 18.4 x 13 x 11.6 cm (7 1/4 x 5 1/8 x 4 9/16 in.).

Figure, 300 BCE - 300 CE, 3 7/8 x 1 3/4 x 1 in. (9.8 x 4.4 x 2.5 cm), Dark green stone with black speckling, Mexico, 3rd century BCE - 4th century CE

pre-columbian jade pendant, national jade museum in san jose, costa rica date: 16.12.2008 ref: zb993_126351_0151 compulsory credit: nhpa/photoshot

Messenger with royal insignia, cap, cross, staff, cat whiskers. Benin Bronze, 16th cent. Nigeria.

Worker Shabti of Henettawy (C), Daughter of Isetemkheb. Dimensions: h. 11.9 × w. 4.2 × d. 3.3 cm (4 11/16 × 1 5/8 × 1 5/16 in.). Dynasty: Dynasty 21. Date: ca. 990-970 B.C.. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Hen, 1900s. Nigeria, Benin Kingdom, Ẹdo peoples, member(s) of the Igbesanmwan (wood and ivory carvers) guild. Wood; overall: 47.6 cm (18 3/4 in.).

Worker Shabti of Nauny ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nauny 625694

Hacha, Head. Culture: Veracruz. Dimensions: H. 8 11/16 x W. 5 1/2 x D. 6 1/4 in. (22 x 14 x 15.9 cm). Date: 7th-10th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Jar (hu) Made 927 BCE-850 BCE China. Bronze .

Pavian figurine; around 1985 1795 BC ; Pahu, 12 dynasty (-1990-00-00--1790-00-00);Scene.gal.g ), peacocks, holy animals

AnthropomorphicHead, ca.300-1200, Stone, 19 1/4 × 7 1/4 in. (48.895 × 18.415cm), Country Niger, Bura, 4th-13thcentury, Sculpture

Kris Hilt 16th-19th century Javanese, possibly Madura. Kris Hilt 31356

Head from a Figurine of a Child 1301-1500 Eastern Java. Terracotta .

Stone Temple Model 1st-8th century Mezcala. Stone Temple Model 317489

Female Figurine. Inca; South coast or southern highlands, Peru. Date: 1450-1532. Dimensions: 6.4 × 1.6 cm (2 1/2 × 5/8 in.). Silver. Origin: Peru. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Worker Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nany 625668

Shield bearer. Culture: Cypriot. Dimensions: H. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm). Date: ca. 750-600 B.C..The lower part of the figurine is wheel-made, hollow, and bell-shaped; the upper body and the head are handmade. There is a perforation at either side of the waist for the attachment of movable legs. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Fragment of a ceremonial palette illustrating a man and a type of staff. Dimensions: H: 5.2 cm (2 1/16 in.); w: 4.7 cm (1 7/8 in.). Date: ca. 3200-3100 B.C.. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Amulet of the God Horus ( ) with Double Crown 664 BCE-332 BCE Egypt. Faience . Ancient Egyptian

Mask Bead. Unknown

Face Mug. Unknown

Figure: Kneeling Female 16th-19th century Dogon or Tellem peoples (). Figure: Kneeling Female. Dogon or Tellem peoples (). 16th-19th century. Wood. Mali. Wood-Sculpture

Lion furniture leg 4th century B.C. Late Period Made in fine, dense faience, the frontal part of a lion was made to slot onto another piece of furniture probably of wood. Furniture legs formed from the body and head of a lion conveyed an exalted status in Egyptian tradition. Here the fragile material and form indicate the piece may have adorned a low funerary bed on which the coffin or mummy of a deceased rested, or perhaps a stool intended to hold funerary items in the tomb.. Lion furniture leg. 4th century B.C.. Faience. Late Period. From Egypt; Possibly from Eastern Delta, Hihya

Figure 2nd-4th century Punuk. Figure 314374

Lamp pedestal - a woman's figurine; 1. PO. 20th century (1901-00-00-1950-00-00);

Flamed-worked Face bead. Unknown

Worker Shabti of Nauny ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.29.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nauny. ca. 1050 B.C.. Faience. Third Intermediate Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Meritamun (TT 358, MMA 65), first corridor, burial of Nauny, MMA excavations, 1928-29. Dynasty 21

Head of Queen Hatshepsut (), c. 1479-1457 BC. Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Hatshepsut, 1479-1457 BC. Graywacke; overall: 16.2 x 14.9 x 17.8 cm (6 3/8 x 5 7/8 x 7 in.).

Shabti of Djedhor Late Period-Ptolemaic Period ca. 360-300 BC This small funerary figure (shabti) comes from the tomb of a wealthy family. The patriarch, the Priest ("God's Father") Djedhor, was buried with his wife Nebtaihet and two other individuals in one chamber, with their three sons in the second..At the head of Djedhor's stone sarcophagus were two shabti boxes, one containing 198 figures and the second holding 196. These shabtis were of two different sizes (the larger ones as here and smaller ones, see 02.4.151). They are all mummiform, with back pillars and pedestals. Each wears a curved "divine" beard, and holds a pick in the left hand and a hoe in the right. Slung over the left shoulder is a round-bottomed basket, held there by a rope in the right hand. Some, like 02.4.159, are inscribed with black ink. A large number of additional shabtis, much cruder in form than these, were found under one of the shabti boxes View more. Shabti of Djedhor. ca. 360-300 BC. Faience. Late Peri

Crescentic Axehead. Iran, Luristan, circa 1350-1000 B.C.. Arms and Armor; axes. Bronze, cast

Face Mask Ornament. Culture: Moche (Loma Negra). Dimensions: H. 5 1/2 x W. 3 9/16 in. (14 x 9 cm). Date: 390-450. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Handle Spout Vessel in the Form of Seated Man with Tatooed or Painted Face 100 BCE-500 CE North Coast, Peruvian. Ceramic and pigment . Moche

Terracotta model of a "cart" ca. 600-480 B.C. Cypriot Three figures are shown reclining on a horizontal surface with wheels. The larger figures, man and woman, support themselves on cushions while the third, smaller person plays the double flute. The representation immediately suggests the musical contingent of an ancient Cypriot "hayride." However, it is well to remember the wheeled carts that participated in Athenian processions; most notable was the wheeled ship in the festival of the Anthesteria dedicated to Dionysos. The "cart" here is a wheeled couch, perhaps representing a special conveyance used under special circumstances.. Terracotta model of a "cart". Cypriot. ca. 600-480 B.C.. Terracotta; hand-made. Cypro-Archaic II. Terracottas

Head of a Buddha image, anonymous, 1600 - 1699 Fragment (head) of Buddha with crown; seriously damaged. Thailand bronze (metal) Fragment (head) of Buddha with crown; seriously damaged. Thailand bronze (metal)

Amulet of Sekhmet. Egypt, Late Period - Ptolemaic Period (724 - 30 BCE). Jewelry and Adornments; amulets. Turquoise faience

Incense Burner with Seated Male

Taweret Amulet ca. 1070-664 B.C. Third Intermediate Period or later. Taweret Amulet 552601

Clay figurine of woman kneading

Funerary Container for FoodOfferings

Bowl with Face. Culture: Puruha. Dimensions: H. 4 x Diam. 5 1/2 in. (10.2 x 14 cm). Date: 6th-16th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Terracotta oil lamp ca. A.D. 550-650 Roman, Ephesian Broneer Type 29, Group 3. Mold-made. Unpierced handle. Flat, plain discus: a large central filling hole with raised lip; plant motif in nozzle channel. Shoulder: targets within panels, and long tongues on each side of nozzle. Broad base ring, flanked by incised circles, and small uneven base filled with maker's stamp, comprising a rosette of four petal. On underside of body: at front; a band of three incised lines to either side of nozzle; at back, two long curving lappets issuing from base of handle.Body intact; but all but base of handle missing.. Terracotta oil lamp 241560

TALISMAN TRIBU WARNA PARA DOLOR CABEZA-AFRICA. Location: MUSEOS VATICANOS-MUSEO ETNOGRAFICO. VATICANO.

Lamp; II-IV century (101-00-00-400-00-00);The collection of ancient Egypt

Cup with Head, 800-1000(). Peru, North-Central Coast(), 9th-10th Century. Wood; overall: 10.8 cm (4 1/4 in.).

Terracotta oil lamp. Culture: Greek. Dimensions: Overall: 7/8 x 3 3/8 in. (2.2 x 8.6 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Vessel Effigy with Helmet Headdress

Tutu as Sphinx, 150 BC-AD 30. Egypt, Late Ptolemaic Dynasty, 305 BC-30 AD. Gray steatite; overall: 9.5 x 4.5 cm (3 3/4 x 1 3/4 in.).

Key Handle. Culture: Roman. Dimensions: Overall: 3 1/16 x 13/16 x 15/16 in. (7.8 x 2 x 2.4 cm). Date: 1st-7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Stirrup Spout Bottle with Sleeping Man 4th-7th century Moche. Stirrup Spout Bottle with Sleeping Man 309323

Glass face bead. Culture: Phoenician or Carthaginian. Dimensions: Diam.: 1 9/16 in. (4 cm). Date: late 5th-mid-2nd century B.C..Translucent dark cobalt blue, with additions in opaque white and yellow and translucent blue.Cylindrical, with rounded edge at both ends; large hole running vertically through bead.Four faces, alternating with two in yellow and two in white, each made from a large added blob, augmented with applied nose, stratified eyes, eyebrows, ears, pendant earrings, and small round mouth, flanked above and below by irregular rows of knobs in white and yellow.Broken and repaired, with some areas of fill, and a few knobs missing or damaged; some pitting and iridescent weathering on exterior, encrustation on interior of hole.This large face bead is closely related to both eye beads and head pendants. Examples of both groups, which have been found throughout the Mediterranean region, are also displayed here Gallery 171, Case 31. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New

Overseer Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Overseer Shabti of Nany 625674

Anthropomorphized Monkey Bottle 4th-7th century Moche. Anthropomorphized Monkey Bottle 309448

Figurine. Unknown

Pre-Columbian art. Pre-Incan. Tumaco-Tolita culture. Region of the Pacific Colombo-Ecuadorian coast from 300BC-600 AD. Ceramic object. Form squirrel. 25 x 10'5 cm. From Ecuador. Private collection.

Spatula with Carved Head, 500-900. Peru, Wari style (500-900). Bone with shell inlay; overall: 11.2 x 2.6 cm (4 7/16 x 1 in.).

Kore Society Mask, 19 9/16 x 8 x 6 1/2 in. (49.69 x 20.32 x 16.51 cm), Wood, Mali

Ritual Mask. Teotihuacan; Teotihuacan, Mexico. Date: 300 AD-750 AD. Dimensions: 20.3 x 25.4 cm (8 x 10 in.). Stone. Origin: Mexico. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Stirrup Spout Bottle; Kneeling Figure 12th-5th century B.C. Cupisnique. Stirrup Spout Bottle; Kneeling Figure 314690

Helmet Mask, c. 1900. Equatorial Africa, Cameroon, Bamum, early 20th century. Wood, kaolin, and organic materials; overall: 57.2 cm (22 1/2 in.).

Spouted Vessel of Female Figure with Child

Mask with Neck Guard 18th century Inscribed by Mychin Munemitsu Japanese Masks have long played an important role in Japanese culture: in religious ceremonies, dance, Noh theater, and military costume. For samurai, masks served as a principal face defense and helped secure the helmet to the head more firmly.The majority of masks were half-length (mempo), covering the nose and the face below the eyes. Their iron surfaces are either lacquered or a dark russet finish; the interiors are usually lacquered red. In addition to half masks, the Metropolitan Museum's collection is unusual in possessing numerous full masks (somen). The majority date from the peaceful Edo period. During that time, armorers like the Mychin clan took pride in making ever more varied masks as a demonstration of their creativity and their famous metalworking skills.. Mask with Neck Guard. Japanese. 18th century. Iron, lacquer, gold, leather, textile (silk). Armor Parts-Masks

Cup. Cup of a warrior ().

Bracket with Kala Mask, 1100s-1300s. Eastern Java, c. 12th-14th Century. Volcanic stone; overall: 40 x 45.5 x 31 cm (15 3/4 x 17 15/16 x 12 3/16 in.).

Worker Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.28.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nany. ca. 1050 B.C.. Faience. Third Intermediate Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Meritamun (TT 358, MMA 65), first corridor, burial of Nany, MMA excavations, 1928-29. Dynasty 21

Head of an Oba 19th century Edo peoples This example of a brass casting of a Benin head may date to the mid-nineteenth century. The extreme degree of stylization, swollen cheeks and enlarged eyes, the size of the flange at the base, the weight of the casting, and the winglike projections attached to the crowns are characteristic of brass casting during this later period of Benin royal court.. Head of an Oba. Edo peoples. 19th century. Brass, iron. Nigeria, Court of Benin. Metal-Sculpture

Stone altar. From Hagar Qim, Malta. Temple Period (3600 BC to 2500 BC). National Museum of Archaeology. Valletta. Malta.

Hacha, c. 700, 6 1/2 x 2 5/8 x 3 3/4 in. (16.5 x 6.67 x 9.53 cm), Stone, Mexico, Post Classic

Glass face bead mid-4th-3rd century B.C. Phoenician or Carthaginian Translucent dark cobalt blue, with opaque turquoise blue, white, and yellow, and translucent cobalt blue.Cylindrical with large hole running vertically through bead.Three conjoining faces; upper half of face in white, with blue and white stratified eyes, blue eyebrows, white ears flanked above and below with yellow earrings, white nose, small mouth in yellow, and yellow blob on forehead; above, curly blue hair in thick blobs applied over turquoise blue; below, U-shaped blue beard with tooled vertical ribbing applied over turquoise blue.Intact except for one ear and one nose, and with horizontal cracks across faces; slight pitting and weathering.Blue bead with three white bearded faces, and yellow decoration.. Glass face bead 249953

Tool

Pendant: Female Head; Italy; 500 - 480 B.C; Amber; 42 × 24 × 29 mm (1 5,8 × 15,16 × 1 1,8 in.)

Bronze griffin attachment ca. 600-575 B.C. Etruscan This heavy, solid-cast griffin was the finial for another object, perhaps an andiron. Originally, the eyes were inlaid with other materials, such as amber and ivory, to create a more lifelike realism.. Bronze griffin attachment. Etruscan. ca. 600-575 B.C.. Bronze, amber perhaps. Archaic. Bronzes

Ancient China: Cooking vessel with lid (Fang Ding), Shang Dynasty, 1600 - 1027 BC. Bronze.

Lamp pedestal - a woman's figurine; 19th/20th century (1791-00-00-1810-00-00);

Worker Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nany 625733

Worker Shabti of Nauny ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.27.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nauny. ca. 1050 B.C.. Faience. Third Intermediate Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Meritamun (TT 358, MMA 65), first corridor, burial of Nauny, MMA excavations, 1928-29. Dynasty 21

Wooden figure of the Norse God Thor, associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, and the protection of mankind. Dated 9th Century

Shang Dynasty ritual vessel. Zun type. Hunan. 11-13th cent. BC CHINA.

Toggle harpoon head Japan The Jmon period is the earliest period in Japanese history, lasting from roughly 14,000 to 300 BCE. The Jmon people were primarily hunter-gatherers, hunting land animals and gathering vegetables and nuts on the land as well as hunting and fishing at sea. This toggle harpoon head, which works by detaching from the shaft of the harpoon once it is stuck in an animal while remaining attached to the shaft by a rope, facilitated the hunting of larger animals at sea. It allowed the Jmon people to practice both opportunistic as well as deliberate hunting of large sea mammals including whales, which are known to have been part of the diet of some Jmon communities along with other sea mammals like seals.. Toggle harpoon head. Japan. Bone. Final Jmon period (ca. 1000-300 B.C.). Bone

Figure of Idol ca. late 15th-early 16th century Mexico. Figure of Idol. Mexico. ca. late 15th-early 16th century. Jadeite, sage-green. Jade

Bizen Pottery Sherd

Pine cone -shaped cippus; IV-III century BC (-400-00-00--201-00-00);Etruria

Amulet of the Goddess Isis 700 BCE-1 BCE Egypt. Lapis lazuli . Ancient Egyptian

Prehistory, Sweden, Bronze Age. Male figurines with headdress. From Loshult.

Mold for a Male Head, AD 1-300. Italy, Roman. Terracotta; overall: 9.9 x 6.4 x 4.8 cm (3 7/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 7/8 in.).

Four-legged figure, 2nd century BCE - 2nd century CE, 9 3/4 x 8 x 11 1/2 in. (24.8 x 20.32 x 29.21 cm), earthenware, Mexico, 2nd century BCE - 2nd century CE

Sculpted vase. From Honduras. Made from alabaster.

Stone Temple Model. Culture: Mezcala. Dimensions: Height 5-3/8 in.. Date: 1st-8th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

. Sitting figure of dark wood, inlaid with silver decorations, presenting a Dutchman.

Thoth as Baboon, 664-305 BC. Egypt, Late Period, Dynasty 26 to Ptolemaic Dynasty. Pale turquoise faience; overall: 5 x 2.4 x 2.5 cm (1 15/16 x 15/16 x 1 in.).

Terracotta figurine, probably fetish, Egyptian civilization

Owl-Shaped Wine Vessel(Zun), 13th-11th century B.C., Bronze, 8 1/8 × 3 7/8 in. (20.7 × 9.8 cm), This zun, or wine vessel, is cast in the shape of an owl whose head forms a removable lid. A scaled snake with a tiger’s head forms the pinion of each wing. The snake’s body outlines the curve of the wings, which terminate in a clawed and plumed bird. On the breast is another composite creature made up of a cicada’s body with a bovine head capped with horns in the shape of two small dragons. The owl as both a night bird and a bird of prey was a symbol of death and ill omen in later Chinese folk tradition. Although unlucky to the living because it foretells death, the owl may have been considered suitable as a motif for vessels intended to feast the dead. Combining it with the cicada, a natural symbol of death and transformation, may have increased itpotency. , China, Chinese, Shang dynasty (1600-1050 B.C.), Anyang phase (1300-1050 B.C.), Containers -Metals

Charm, late 19th century, 3 3/4 x 2 7/8 x 1 1/2 in. (9.5 x 7.3 x 3.8 cm), Stone, United States, 19th century

Comb. Egypt, 10th-12th century. Jewelry and Adornments; combs. Wood

The Priestess Toui, Highest of the Recluses of Min Artist Unknown Egyptian Wood Sculpture Musee du Louvre, Paris

Terracotta horse's head with harness ca. 600-480 B.C. Cypriot The hollow head is probably from a fairly large quadriga group, judging from the harness.. Terracotta horse's head with harness. Cypriot. ca. 600-480 B.C.. Terracotta; handmade. Cypro-Archaic II. Terracottas

Mesoamerica. Precolombian. Maya art. Censer with jaguar. Mexico or Guatemala. 600-900. Museum of Cutures of the World. Barcelona. Spain.

Statuette of the God Osiris Seated 664 BCE-332 BCE Egypt. Steatite . Ancient Egyptian

Chinese Bronze Ritual Vessel, 10th century BC. Artist: Unknown

Figure of baboon on a basket and with a pillar, the shebet offering ca. 664-30 B.C. Late Period-Ptolemaic Period The mummiform baboon squats on a basket with a pillar behind him. The nature of this object is still under discussion. The image of the baboon might allude to the god Thoth. Only rarely do we know the archeological context to which these objects belong, but a few of them are known to come from an area in Saqqara near one of the main ibis cemeteries. Another example arrives from Hermopolis, one of the main sites in which Thoth was celebrated. In imagery, however, it is mostly kings who are represented offering an object in this form and mostly to goddesses.. Figure of baboon on a basket and with a pillar, the shebet offering. ca. 664-30 B.C.. Faience. Late Period-Ptolemaic Period. From Egypt

Pendant: Ram's Head; Italy; 500 - 450 B.C; Amber; 19 × 15 × 32.5 mm (3,4 × 9,16 × 1 1,4 in.)

Jewelry element representing a falcon wearing a double crown. Dimensions: H. 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.); W. 1.8 cm (11/16 in.); Th. 0.5 cm (3/16 in.). Date: ca. 1887-1750 BC.This ornament depicts a crowned falcon sitting on a nb-sign, the word for gold, with a scarab beetle at the bird's feet. Surprising many of the piece's inlay are still present, whose strong colors add to the striking nature of the piece. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

MASCARA ZOOMORFA DE ORO Y PLATINO. Location: PRIVATE COLLECTION. QUITO. ECUADOR.

Pottery Whistle ca. 300-900 Mexican. Pottery Whistle. Mexican. ca. 300-900. Clay. Classic Period (Pre-Columbian). Oaxaca valley, Mexico. Aerophone-Whistle Flute-whistle

Worker Shabti of Nauny ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nauny 625746

France, Burgundy, Vix krater (vase used to mix wine and water), from the Vix Grave, bronze

Worker Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.27.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nany. ca. 1050 B.C.. Faience. Third Intermediate Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Meritamun (TT 358, MMA 65), first corridor, burial of Nany, MMA excavations, 1928-29. Dynasty 21

Stirrup Spout Bottle: Feline and Serpent. Culture: Cupisnique. Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (24.1 x 19.1 x 16.5 cm). Date: 12th-5th century B.C.. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Vessel with Water Bird and Hieroglyphic Text 7th-9th century Maya A Maya artist of the Late Classic Period (ca. A.D. 650-900) hand built this hemispherical ceramic drinking cup out of orange-brown clay from the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Before firing, the surface of the clay was gouged and incised to create a cartouche enclosing a water bird (perhaps cormorant or a heron) grasping an object, and a diagonal band of six hieroglyphic text blocks. The dark brown mineral slip and style of carving are characteristic of a ceramic style known as Chocholá, named after a small town in the northern Yucatan Peninsula from which similar vessels reportedly came.. Vessel with Water Bird and Hieroglyphic Text. Maya. 7th-9th century. Ceramic. Mexico. Ceramics-Vessels

Mythreya, Terracotta figurine, 7th century A. D collected at Muttom near Boluvampatti, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Eskimo Carving of a Nursing Mother Artist Unknown Soapstone

Ivo of Chartres' carved ivory crozier, Curved top from Treasury of Beauvais Cathedral

Pottery Rattle 600-900 Mayan Rattle in the shape of a female effigy.. Pottery Rattle 501839

Tunisia, Carthage, Glass paste mask

Eye idol ca. 3700-3500 B.C. This type of figurine known as an eye idol, made of stone and having incised eyes, has been excavated at Tell Brak, where thousands were found in a building now called the Eye Temple. They were probably dedicated there as offerings. Many are incised with multiple sets of eyes, others with jewelry, and still others with representations of "children"smaller eyes and body carved on the body of the larger idol. Wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much of Mesopotamian art.. Eye idol 324148

Vessel in the shape of a head with facial paint, earmuffs and a headdress in which the feline features highlight. Ceramics. Moche culture (100 BC-700 AD). Peru. Museum of the Americas. Madrid, Spain.

Worker Shabti of Nany. Dimensions: H.8.8 × W. 3.5 × D. 1.8 cm (3 7/16 × 1 3/8 × 11/16 in.). Dynasty: Dynasty 21. Reign: reign of Psusennes I. Date: ca. 1050 B.C..See 30.3.27.1a, b. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Canopic vase of Padiuf, priest of Amon, Duamutef in dog form, painted wood

Pendant: Ram's Head. Unknown

Temple Structure and Other Objects 400 B.C. Head of the Goddess Hathor on a Sistrum 400 B.C. , Sceptre excavated at Faras in Nubia 400 B.C. and Faience Djed Pillar of Osiris 400 B.C.

Worker Shabti of Nany ca. 1050 B.C. Third Intermediate Period See 30.3.26.1a, b. Worker Shabti of Nany. ca. 1050 B.C.. Faience. Third Intermediate Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Meritamun (TT 358, MMA 65), first corridor, burial of Nany, MMA excavations, 1928-29. Dynasty 21

Tunisia, Carthage, Amulets representing the God Ptah, Siliceous paste

Bell in the form of Bes 332-30 B.C. Ptolemaic Period Bells began to appear in Egypt about the 8th century BC. This large bell is decorated with the face of Bes. A lizard peers over either ear, its body and tail curling around to the back of the bell.. Bell in the form of Bes 551369

Hatnofers Funerary Mask, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, New York City, USA, North America

Relief fragment with a cobra on the royal head ca. 2020-2000 B.C. Middle Kingdom The temple of Mentuhotep II at Deir el-Bahri combined innovative building ideas with a relief decoration that was largely based on prototypes from the Old Kingdom pyramid temples in the Memphite area. Utterly destroyed by stone robbers in antiquity, this decoration was preserved in thousands of fragments. The relief fragment here depicts the king himself. Preserved are part of his head and headdress; the protective rearing cobra (uraeus) is at his forehead. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #1120. Relief fragment with a cobra on the royal head Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as possible.. Relief fragment with a cobra on the royal head 544123

Amulet - bóg Horus. unknown, author

Ethnic mask hangs on a dark wall

Head of a cat 664-332 B.C. Late Period The cat was sacred to the goddess Bastet, and was offered in sanctuaries and deposited in animal necropoleis throughout Egypt. This cat has deep-cut eyes for the addition of inlay and fine, incised lines marking the tufts of hair on the ears and the whiskers. From the way the figure is broken, it is hard to know if this piece was a separately crafted cat head or was a fragment from one continuous cupreous casting of a seated cat. It is comparable in size and shape, however, to figures such as 04.2.589, which suggests that it was designed as a separately cast head.The function of these large cat heads is ambiguous. They have been found in offering contexts, and it is commonly assumed that they formed part of a composite statuette; the full statuette, when intact, probably would have had a hollow wooden body and held a cat mummy inside, much as similar large hollow copper alloy statuettes did. However, these figures are almost never found with the c

En no Gyōja with Zenki and Kōki (Kōki), 1615-1868. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868). Wood and paint; overall: 8.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm (3 3/8 x 2 3/16 x 1 3/4 in.).

Greenstone mask of a mythical dignitary ancestor, or captive from Mexico. Dated 150 AD

Statuette 18th century or earlier China. Statuette 61637

Uszebti. unknown, author

Greenstone mask of a mythical dignitary ancestor, or captive from Mexico. Dated 150 AD

Gold Funerary Mask 9th-11th century Lambayeque (Sicán). Gold Funerary Mask 312724

Cup, c. 900-600 BC. Peru, North Coast, Cupisnique style (1200-200 BC). Steatite; overall: 6 x 5.3 cm (2 3/8 x 2 1/16 in.).

Costume Ornament. Culture: Peru; north coast (). Dimensions: D. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm). Date: 11th-12th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

A crawling children's figure of soapstone. A crawling children's figure of ivory-colored soapstone. On the back of bullying flower branches.

Limestone right foot ca. 330-30 B.C. Cypriot The lifesize right foot is shod with a sandal that covers the heel.. Limestone right foot 244804

Mexico, Aztec civilization, Teponatzli stone drum from Mexico Valley

Steelyard Weight with the Bust of a Woman 4th century Byzantine The Egyptian goddess Isis, who became a popular divinity throughoutthe Roman Empire, may be represented on this weight.. Steelyard Weight with the Bust of a Woman 468586

Terracotta model of a Nile boat. Culture: Roman, Egyptian. Dimensions: H.: 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm)Other: 5 9/16 in. (14.1 cm). Date: ca. 2nd century A.D..It may have been a toy with detachable wooden mast and cloth sails. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

STATUE OF THE OFFERING PORTER EGYPTIAN ART d Musee du Louvre, Paris

17th century Samurai warrior helmet

Set of bronze armor, Greek, South Italian, Apulian, ca. 330 B.C.

Amphora from the late ancient period, Egnazia Apulia Archaeological Park, Apulia, Italy, Europe

Limestone statuette of an oriental god or hero () 3rd century B.C. Cypriot The pendants hanging from the ears indicate that the figure is of eastern origin (or a woman). On the head is an oriental cap, the lappets of which fall forward onto the chest.. Limestone statuette of an oriental god or hero () 241893

Foot covering from a mummy, with scorpions on soles. Dimensions: H. 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.); W. 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in.); D. 13.6 cm (5 3/8 in.). Date: late 3rd century BC-1st century AD.This is the footcase cartonnage of a small mummy. Cartonnage cases made of several individual pieces are characteristic of the period post 3rd century B.C. Mummies in gallery 133 have sets of this sort.The footcase depicts the soles of two sandals with a scorpion crushed beneath each one. The imagery reflects the ancient Egyptians' desire to control the dangerous elements of their world, a concern that here is transferred to the world of the afterlife. On the mummy, the scene was intended to give power to the deceased over the inimical forces that he would encounter on his nightly journey through the netherworld to-ward rebirth each dawn. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Egypt, Thebes, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Tomb of Tutankhamon, Treasures of Tutankhamon, Royal diadem

Coin of Unidentified King: Laksmi Standing on Lotus (obverse); Swastika on Stand (reverse). Sri Lanka, circa 137-59 B.C.. Tools and Equipment; coins. Copper or copper alloy

Snuff Bottle, 1900-1935, 4 x 1 1/2in. (10.2 x 3.8cm), Ivory, China

Ceramic tripod rattle chocolate vessel from Costa Rica. Dated 6th Century

Shakyamuni Buddha. Korea, Unified Silla dynasty (668-935). Sculpture. Carved wood with traces of lacquer

Statuette of Montuhotep, scribe of the chief minister of state, seated on a chair. From the 18th century BC

Ancient terracotta trophy heads, from the Pre-Hispanic regions of Central America, Costa Rica. Dated 10th Century

Rattle ca. 1880 Native American (Haida or Tsimshian) Rattles like this were most likely used during dance rituals of the Haida or Tsimshian. Spherical in shape with two diametrically opposed faces, this rattle represents typical carving of Northwest Coast people, exhibiting form-line carving in low relief. The cutawaydarkenedsections represent an equally significant aspect of the composition. Low-relief carving in this style makes a play on the relationship between negative and positive space. One side of the rattle depicts a face in quintessential form-line ornament, with ovoid and U-shaped realizations of the space between the form-lines. The opposite side of the rattle depicts a hook-nosed bird figure, possibly a hawk or raven, the nose protruding from the low relief of the face. There is evidence of red and black pigment as embellishment on both sides of rattle. This wooden rattle is constructed in two pieces carved to form a hollow chamber. Small holes carved near edges of both

Double Capital 13th-14th century French. Double Capital 471335

George Constantine, Tradesman's Sign, c 1937 Tradesman's Sign

Owl Head 6th-7th century Moche (Loma Negra). Owl Head 315107

Fragment figurki Izydy. unknown, author

Door

Seated Figure. Culture: Tolita-Tumaco. Dimensions: H. 25 x W. 14 1/2 x D. 13 in. (63.5 x 36.8 x 33cm). Date: 1st century B.C.-A.D. 1st century.This vivid figure is representative of a well-known type of seated male figure from the Pacific coast region of northern Ecuador and southern Colombia. Low-lying and swampy--and inhospitable to the later Spanish colonists of the 1500s--the area was home at the turn of the first millennium A.D. to the people of the Tolita-Tumaco culture, who made large ceramic sculptures with great skill. These three-dimensional works of impressive size, which today are usually fragmentary, stand out within the larger corpus of Precolumbian South American ceramic works primarily for their size and their uncommonly expressive portrayal of the human face and figure. The example here has the face of old age--with wrinkles, baggy skin beneath the eyes, only a few remaining teeth, and stubble on the chin; but these features only enhance the presence and heighten the d

Armor (Gusoku) of the Maeda Family. Culture: Japanese. Dimensions: as mounted: H. 55 in. (139.7 cm); W. 29 in. (73.4 cm); D. 21 in. (53.3 cm); Wt. approx. 48 lb. (21.8 kg). Date: 18th century.The armor is decorated in several places with the plum blossom mon (heraldic emblem) of the Maeda family, who were daimyo (feudal lords) of Kaga Province (the southern part of present-day Ishikawa Prefecture) and the second largest landowners in Japan after the Tokugawa family. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Pre-Inca era. Valdivia culture. Ecuador 3500-1800 BC. Ceramic female figurine. Museum of Cutures of the World. Spain.

Bust or J.C.J. Van Speyk (1802-1831). Two bubbles from J.C.J. From Speyk and one base. Two identical bronze busts of a Dutch naval officer, the head light turned to the left. He is wearing a uniform and a military willem order. The busts of the bubble belongs to which the blast of the portrait ship is depicted. The base is finished at the bottom with a garland.

Pole Top, 899-400 BCE, 6 1/4 x 2 1/2in. (15.9 x 6.4cm), Bronze, Persia (Iran), 9th-4th century BCE

Romania, Bucharest, Muzeul National de Istorie al Romaniei, 5th Millennium B.C., Terracotta male figure with decorations

Statuette of a Woman 6th century B.C. Etruscan Draped.. Statuette of a Woman 246397

Shield

Ornament of a mummy: pectoral with scarab made of lapis lazuli

Incense burner cyclical dated listed in donor inscription, most probably 1635 Vietnam (Hai Zhong Province, Hong River delta). Incense burner. Vietnam (Hai Zhong Province, Hong River delta). cyclical dated listed in donor inscription, most probably 1635. Glazed stoneware with biscuit fired molded appliqué decoration. Ceramics

Collection of Wooden Canopic Jar Lids 1550 B.C. Egypt

Statuette of a woman votary, 5 ca. 700-500 B.C. Greek, Laconian. Statuette of a woman votary, 5 251595 Greek, Laconian, Statuette of a woman votary, 5 , ca. 700500 B.C., Lead, Height: 1 3/16 in. (3 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Gift of A. J. B. Wace, 1924 (24.195.29)

Pomeranian Culture. Iron Age. 7th-3rd century BC. Face-Urn. Burial urn with face. Poland. Archeological Museum of Gdansk. Poland.

Pyxis (Container for Personal Objects). Greek; Athens. Date: 730 BC-720 BC. Dimensions: 25 × 33 × 33.3 cm (9 7/8 × 13 × 13 1/8 in.). Terra-cotta. Origin: Athens. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: ANCIENT GREEK.

Wooden mask from Luba/Hemba, Zaire, National Museum of Culture, Pretoria, South Africa, Africa

Madrid, M.A.N. Arte Egipcio. Baja Época. Procedencia desconocida. Colección T.Asensi.2293: Amuleto de Udyat, ojo sagrado de Horus. Fayenza. (alt.2.25, anch.0.5). s.VI-III a.c. 2238: Amuleto de Anubis, dios funerario, protector de la necrópolis y los difuntos. (alt.3.1, anch.0.7) s.VI-III a.c.2475: Amuleto de fayenza del pilar Dyed, símbolo de Osiris (la estabilidad del mundo, los seres, su duración). Alt.3, anch.0,.5. s.VI-III a.c. 2171:Amuleto de bronce del Dios Ptah, divinidad principal de Menfis, Dios creador de la palabra y padre de los dioses, de todas las cosas, patrón de orfebres. (alt.4, anch.1) s.VI-III a.c.2429: Amuleto de fayenza representando un halcón, simbolo del dios Horus. (alt.2.7, anch.1.4) s.VI-III a.c.

Noh mask 18th century Japan. Noh mask 60222

North American Indian art: Klingit Eagle Head from Ketchikan, S. E. Alaska. A tribal symbol of determination. Carved and painted wood.

Snuff Bottle, 1850-1900, 3 3/4 x 1 3/8 in. (9.53 x 3.5 cm), Ivory, jade, China, 19th century

Pre-Columbian Jewelry Moche culture 100 AC-800 AC Perú.

Pilgrim's Badge 14th-16th century French. Pilgrim's Badge. French. 14th-16th century. Lead. Metalwork-Lead

Case in Shape of a Covered Jar 19th century China. Case in Shape of a Covered Jar 70469

Powder Flask, c. 1580. Germany, late 16th Century. Staghorn (two branches) carved with relief, scene of David and Bathsheba; iron suspension loop; mounts missing; overall: 16.9 x 11.1 cm (6 5/8 x 4 3/8 in.). Powder flasks are small, portable containers designed to hold gunpowder. From the 1400s to the 1800s, powder flasks were indispensable for charging and priming firearms of all types. Without powder flasks firearms were of little use to their owners. Many highly decorated flasks rank as works of art. During the 1500s, they were frequently decorated with images of famous historical figures. Here the figures of King David and Bathsheba derive from the Old Testament.

Small fish ". OS. Dynasty of Shang (1765-1122 BC), China. Paris, Cernuschi Museum. 101270-16 Asian art, Chinese art, art of extreme orient, Shang dynasty, Yin dynasty, Shang time, iieme II 2nd 2 millennial, bones, fish

Actor in Star-Shaped Hat 1750-1799 France. Glass; lampwork (verre de Nevers), metal armature .

tiki statue isolated on white background. traditional tiki

Funerary Mask 5th Century B.C. Hammered Gold.

Ancient Egyptian gold and faience statuette of Thoth as a baboon, dedicated to man named Horhetep, Ptolemaic Period

Africa, Egypt, Luxor. Luxor museum. Elaboratly decorated mummy casings (Editorial Usage Only)

Kohl Tube Inscribed for Amenhotep III and Princess Sitamun ca. 1390-1352 B.C. New Kingdom This kohl tube of Egyptian faience has an inscription naming the eldest daughter of Amenhotep III, who also became his wife. The inscription reads: the King's Daughter and Great Royal Wife, Sitamun.. Kohl Tube Inscribed for Amenhotep III and Princess Sitamun 544512

Female Head ca. 5th century Afghanistan. Female Head 38375

Shabti of the Supreme Chief of the ḫnr.t of Amun Nesikhonsu 1069 BCE-945 BCE Egypt. Faience . Ancient Egyptian

Mask mid to late 19th century Tolai people. Mask 311960

Africa. Nigeria. Ekoi mask. 19th century. British Museum. London. England. United Kingdom.

Ceramic vessel Chavín culture 900 BC-200 BC Perú.

Double vessel. Chimu-Inca culture. Late Horizon (1470-1532 AD). Peru. Ceramic. Museum of the Americas. Madrid, Spain.

Pre-Inca civilization, Peru, 3rd-10th century. Nazca culture, polychrome ceramic anthropomorphic vase.

Rattle. Culture: Native American (Masseth or Haida). Dimensions: H. 10 × W. 2 3/4 in. (25.4 × 7 cm). Date: 19th century.This raven rattle depicts a perched bird with wings outstretched toward its front. This is an unusual representation of the raven on a rattle and more typical of the way it would be depicted on a memorial (or totem) pole. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Pottery heads. Teotihuacan, 150 BC-AD 750 The great variety of headdress and facial ornament on small figurines reflects the different roles and offices represented in the social hierarchy at this great metropolis.

Netsuke of Noh Mask: Hannya. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); D. 1 in. (2.5 cm). Date: 18th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

17th century Samurai warrior helmet

Campaigning in southern Iraq. Clerks take notes (scribes) Assyrian, 640-620 BC. Nineveh, South-West Palace, Iraq. British Museum. London.

Statuette of a flute-player, female. Culture: Greek, Laconian. Dimensions: Height: 1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Aztec Mask Pre-Columbian Wood & turquoise British Museum, London, England

Statuette of a falcon, the animal manifestation of Horus, the divine king. From 1st century.

a canadian wooden totem isolated over a white background

3rd Century BC masks made from Dough and glass. Punic Carthaginian, Bardo Museum Tunisia. Phoenician origin. Phoenicia was an ancient Semitic civilization that originated in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the west of the Fertile Crescent. The civilization spread across the Mediterranean between 1500 BC and 300 BC.

Edo Period, Satsuma Samurai armour sewn with blue thread. (1603 - 1868)

Fukurokuju, god of longevity and wealth; netsuke. unknown, sculptor

Figurine of woman and twochildren

Detail of a sculpture, Copan, Copan Ruinas, Copan Department, Honduras

Gold eye and mouth covers. These objects were probably placed over the shrouded faces of corpses placed in the graves and attached by a cord running through the corners. 1st century AD

England, London, British Museum, Exhibit of Egyptian Mummies

Carving of Josef and Maria, part of the Christmas stable, isolated on white

Wooden Casket: Scenes from the Life of Christ, c. 1050. Anglo-Saxon, England, West Midlands, Romanesque period, 11th century. Boxwood, copper-alloy, glass ; overall: 9 x 7.8 x 15.7 cm (3 9/16 x 3 1/16 x 6 3/16 in.).

Zoomorphic polychrome terracotta vessel of mythological subject, Peru, Nazca culture

Close-up of antique craft products, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Roundel. Unknown

Ceremonial Tlingit Skin Drum Southeast Alaska

Japan, Nagoya, Noh theatre mask

Tile China. Tile 61602

Masks from the Arctic used to reveal inner truth of the wearer, used by Shamans. Dated 19th Century

Bronze statuette of the infant Horus. Artist: Unknown

Head of a wood puppet

Tutankhmun (Tutankamen), king of Egypt, reigned 1361-1352 BC. Gold and lapis lazuli funerary mask

Fashion accessories, 14th century BC, Egypt, Cairo, The Egyptian Museum,

Tutankhamun Death Mask in the Cairo Museum, Cairo, Egypt

The Goddess Nout. Interior of the Sarcophagus 1085-333 B.C., Artist Unknown Egyptian Basalt Musee du Louvre, Paris

Mendut Temple (detail) 8th C. AD Indonesian Art Relief Borobudur, Indonesia

Pottery in the Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. South America, Argentina (Editorial Use Only)

Ancient Egyptian ritual vase with falcon head and hieroglyphs cartoons vector illustration. Decorative urn for sacrifice to sun god Ra or storage of temple treasures, isolated on white background. Ancient Egyptian ritual vase with falcon head