Situla (Bucket for Holy Water), ca. 860-880 Used to dispense blessed water during services.
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Plaque with Personification of the Moon, 860-90 Southern France
Made using the cloisonne-enamel technique representing a female sky goddess. -
Pendant, 4th-8th century Costa Rica used as burial offering
Usually found around the neck of the deceased. -
Night-Shining White, ca. 750 China
From the Tang Dynasty. Painted by Han Gan well known for painting horses. Night-Shining White was a horse that belong to Emperor Xuanzong (r. 712-56). -
Standing Man, 1st-2nd century A.D. Iran
This figure worshippers usually found near sanctuaries in the province of Khuzestan, Iran. -
Mosaic of Peacock with Flowers, 3rd-4th century Roman or Byzantine
This is part of a large floor mosaic and the peacock usually represented renewal or spring. -
Zoomorphic Figure 1 January, Papua New Guinea
Figure possibly represents an echidna which is an egg-laying mammal known to inhabit New Guinea and used for cereomonies to cure sicknesses or for fertility rites. -
Ballcourt Marker, 3rd-7th century Mexico
This stone sculpture is usually included in murals around central Mexico near temples. It is a representation of Tlaloc also known as the rain or storm god. -
Standing figure of woman, 1st-5th century Ecuador
This figure is from the Jama Coaque culture and was used for rituals. -
Statue of Aphrodite, 1st or 2nd century A.D. Roman copy of a Greek statue
This is a copy of a Greek statue possibly made in the 4th century B.C. by Praxiteles who was a famous Greek sculptor. His statue of Aphrodite is believed to be the first to show the goddess without clothing. -
Bird shaped vessel, ca. 2nd-3rd century - Korea
Usually found at Korean burial sites, this figure were used in rituals. Possibly based on Chinese furnerary vessels which were believed to carry souls from earth to the final resting place of immortal beings. -
Female diety, 7th-8th century Cambodia
This diety is thought to be the Hindu goddess Durga who slayed a buffalo demon. Usually, baring four arms, this diety was displayed in temples with other dieties during worship. -
Hindu god Vishnu, ca. 7th century Vietnam
This is reminiscent of Indian sculpture and represents the god of the cosmos as he is holding an orb which represents planet earth. -
Two Columns, 400-600 France
These columns are remnants of a church called the Church of Notre-Dame de la Daurade and are made of marble. This was part of its interior where many of the walls were decorated with gold. The church was also called the Golden Church of La Daurade for this reason. -
Cosmetic Flask (mukhula), Abbasid period, 8th-9th century Egypt
This was used to carry eye makeup and was known as the kohl. It is made of turquoise glass. -
Situla (Bucket for Holy Water), ca. 860-880 France
This holy water bucket is made of ivory and was used to dispense blessed water to worshippers during ceremonies. -
Period: to
Situla (Bucket for Holy Water), ca. 860-880 France
Used to dispense blessed water on worshippers during services. -
Pyxis, 10th century Spanish
Pyxis or round box is cut from elephant tusk which was poular for making objects in the Mediterranean area. This was used as a container for aromatics. Usually, the lid, missing from this piece, has the owner's name and the date of its creation inscribed. -
Glass Pitcher, 3rd-4th century A.D. Roman
Made using a blowpipe this pitcher allowed glass makers to inflate a "glob of glass and make large-bellied vessels" instead of casting. This was better than vessels made of pottery or metal because its contents and their amount could be seen. -
Coptic Manuscript, 700-900 Egypt
Crosses were commonly used as geometric patterns in Coptic manuscripts. Coptic, an Egyptian language, was written using the Greek alphabet and other symbols. These manucripts were also written in Arabic for people who could not read Coptic. -
Arch with Running Vines, Leaves, and Frui, 500-600 Egypt
This arch was part of a doorway in a monastery in Bawit, Egypt. Usually seen in Coptic churches, these sculptured stone arches were part of their many decorations and were painted in rich colors. -
Shiva as Sadashiva or Mahesha, ca. 860-1279, 10th century India
This sculpture has four heads representing the Hindu god Shiva who is the god of creation. Also known as Brahma, Sadashiva, and Mahesha, this diety also represents destruction,
