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This flat headdress was worn by a female maize dancer. The stepped forms at the top are stylized clouds, while the paired feathers may symbolize prayers.
America, Native North American, Southwest, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Post-Contact
cardboard, string, paint, leather
Gift of Amelia Elizabeth White
This was used in masked performances of the Agrinya society, a powerful guild formerly restricted to men who had killed an elephant, lion, or man. The white pigment connotes the realm of the ancestors, while the aggressive expression of the face seems to suggest the courage of Agrinya society members.
Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Idoma-style carver
Wood, human hair, paint, and possibly kaolin
Overall: 20.4 x 17.8 x 16.2 cm (8 1/16 x 7 x 6 3/8 in.)
James Albert and Mary Gardiner Ford Memorial Fund
Just like the last one, the illustration blows me away. I have a strong desire to be a better creator of characters.
Each of the four gospels in this book opens on a page with brilliantly illuminated borders depicting the author of the text as well as birds-principally peacocks, symbols of the immortality of the soul-and fountains, representing the fountain of life and the salvation of the soul. This volume consists of 428 leaves with texts in Greek. Its level of sophistication suggests that it was probably written and decorated in a monastery in Constantinople.
Byzantium, Constantinople
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum; leather binding
Sheet: 28 x 23 cm (11 x 9 1/16 in.)
Did you know...
Gospel Books were carried in procession through Byzantine churches.
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
This dagger is decorated with an incised human face and a geometric pattern.
Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, 19th century
cassowary bone
Overall: 33.6 x 4.6 cm (13 1/4 x 1 13/16 in.)
Gift of Mrs. Charles E. Roseman
This kozuka was made in Nagasaki, the main port during Japan's period of restricted foreign interchange between the 1630s and the 1850s. Most of Japan's foreign trade during that time occurred through Nagasaki. The large boat in the center is a Dutch ship. The flag at its left is either the Dutch tricolor or the flag of the Dutch East Indies Company, which used the tricolor as a background. The two boats on the right are Chinese junks. Five other small boats are in the water between the large ships. These boats are tied to together and are pulling the large boat into port. Part of the port can be seen behind the small boats.
Japanese
3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
medium: shibuichi, gold, silver, copper
style: Ishiguro School
culture: Japanese
Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Tuthmosis III (1479–1425 BCE)–reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE)
travertine
Diameter: 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in.); Diameter of mouth: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.); Overall: 16.4 cm (6 7/16 in.); Diameter of lid: 6.6 cm (2 5/8 in.)
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Hongzhi mark and reign (1488-1505)
porcelain with incised and underglaze coffee brown (iron oxide) decoration
Diameter: 25.8 cm (10 3/16 in.); Overall: 26 cm (10 1/4 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Collection
As early as the seventh century, the practice of drinking tea and wine became an important part of elite culture in Korea. Once used to store alcoholic beverages, this type of vase features a wide body followed by a sharply rounded shoulder, a short neck and a small opening. Most of the remaining examples no longer have a lid, but originally it may have had a lid that not only covers the opening, but also served as a cup.
Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
Celadon ware with inlaid white and black slip decoration
Overall: 33 cm (13 in.)
Did you know...
Prunus vases are often believed to contain a branch of plum blossoms, but recent research reveals that these lidded vases were also used to contain cooking liquid such as sesame oil.
Gift of John L. Severance