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Pyramidion of Hori
1350 B.C.
Limestone
Egyptian
A pyramidion (plural pyramidia) is the uppermost piece or capstone of an Egyptian pyramid or obelisk, in archaeological parlance. They were called benbenet in the Ancient Egyptian language, which associated the pyramid as a whole with the sacred benben stone. During Egypt's Old Kingdom, pyramidia were generally made of diorite, granite, or fine limestone, which were then covered in gold or electrum. A pyramidion was "covered in gold leaf to reflect the rays of the sun"; during Egypt's Middle Kingdom, they were often "inscribed with royal titles and religious symbols." - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramidion
Seattle Art Museum
March 22, 2018
Terracotta, from Italy, c. 40-70 AD.
It depicts a quadriga apporaching the turning posts in the Circus Maximus.
British Museum.
Step back in time to this fascinating gallery featuring art from the ancient world. Those with a passion for anything from Roman gladiators to Egyptian pharoahs are sure to find something of interest.
A painting from the medical treatise known as the Blue Beryl, from Lhasa, central Tibet, 1687-97. From the Pritzker collection. Taken with Nokia N78 cellphone.
Silver Parthian coin pendant and earrings. Mounted in a modern vermeil setting. 22kt gold plate finish over pure silver with pearl and garnet accent beads on the earrings. Reverse of coin depicts various symbols. 247 BC-228 AD (Pendant: 1”, Earrings: 2”)
The Mandapeshwar caves perhaps have the most tumultuous history of all the Mumbai caves, or so it would seem from the scars the walls still bear. A Hindu temple, it was targeted by the Portuguese, who asserted their religious beliefs over it by literally building a monastery and a church dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on top of the cave temple. Fr. Porto founded the monastery and church in 1544.The Mandapeshwar caves were hewn out of a hillock about 1,600 years ago. At one time, the Dahisar river ran in front of it, but over time the course of the river changed and the caves now face a main road.In the 18th century the church was desecrated after the Battle of Bassein in which the Marathas defeated the Portuguese. They uncovered and worshipped the rock-cut sculptures again, but towards the end of the 18th century the British defeated the Marathas and the caves once again functioned as a place of Christian worship. After the end of colonial rule the church fell into disrepair and the caves gradually reverted to the worship of Siva. The church, including its roof, has been destroyed, but older local residents recall playing among the aisles and the nave of the church when they were children.A three-foot-high symbol of the cross, hewn out of a stone panel that once depicted mythical Hindu figures, stands at the entrance. It is the only remaining proof of Mandapeshwar’s historical past.
58-80 AD, Rome.
Di{i}s Manib(us) / sacrum / L(uci) Sesti Eutropi / sibi et suis / cuius monument(um) est
Vatican Museum.
"Imported Attic type Greek vessel with black-figured decoration." Taken at the Archeological Museum in Zadar, Croatia.
Etruscan, 525BC
On the neck of this black-figure Nikosthenic amphora, two boxers face each other with a tripod between them, presumably the prize in their contest. Lower on the vase, a youth sits between a pair of large eyes, grabbing the eyebrows. Eyes were a popular decoration on Athenian vases, especially from around 530 to 510 B.C., and this is a playful variant on that tradition. They probably had an apotropaic function, warding off evil spirits and bad luck. The youth seemingly speaks the Greek words inscribed in front of him: “Nikosthenes made me,” perhaps a lighthearted touch of humor on the part of the potter. As is true of all other signed Nikosthenic amphorae, this one is attributed to Painter N.
Nikosthenic amphorae have a distinctive shape: a tall, narrow body divided by ridges and wide, flat handles. They were made in only one workshop in Athens, that of the potter Nikosthenes. Their shape copies a form of bucchero or impasto amphora traditionally made by Etruscan potters. In fact, almost all the surviving Nikosthenic amphorae come from one city in Etruria, Cerveteri. The specialized shape was likely produced in Athens for export to that market. The scenes of athletic events and revelry, which often decorate this shape, resemble imagery found in contemporary Etruscan tomb painting and presumably relate to Etruscan funerary ritual.
Nizamuddin East (New Delhi), Uttar Pradesh, India
Hawk headed lion
basalt, circa 100 BC to 150 AD
basalt, Alexandria
California Palace of the Legion of Honor
Lincoln Park, San Francisco
20181202_135651
The Mandapeshwar caves perhaps have the most tumultuous history of all the Mumbai caves, or so it would seem from the scars the walls still bear. A Hindu temple, it was targeted by the Portuguese, who asserted their religious beliefs over it by literally building a monastery and a church dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on top of the cave temple. Fr. Porto founded the monastery and church in 1544.The Mandapeshwar caves were hewn out of a hillock about 1,600 years ago. At one time, the Dahisar river ran in front of it, but over time the course of the river changed and the caves now face a main road.In the 18th century the church was desecrated after the Battle of Bassein in which the Marathas defeated the Portuguese. They uncovered and worshipped the rock-cut sculptures again, but towards the end of the 18th century the British defeated the Marathas and the caves once again functioned as a place of Christian worship. After the end of colonial rule the church fell into disrepair and the caves gradually reverted to the worship of Siva. The church, including its roof, has been destroyed, but older local residents recall playing among the aisles and the nave of the church when they were children.A three-foot-high symbol of the cross, hewn out of a stone panel that once depicted mythical Hindu figures, stands at the entrance. It is the only remaining proof of Mandapeshwar’s historical past.
Iron statue of Hanuman, the monkey God and ardent devotee of Lord Sri Rama, worshipped by millions in India. Hanuman is the embodiment of devotion, dedication and strength. Devotees pray to Hanuman to remove their sufferings and also to fulfill their wishes. Depicted dressed in a flowing cape and with a riding crop in hand. Traces of gold gilding to the surface. Rust patina. 1700’s AD (27” x 12” x 10”)