Painted limestone stela, ca. 1353-1336 BC, El-Amarna, Egypt.
This limestone stela shows King Akhenaten and his family as a “Holy Family.” It is considered to be an icon and was intended to be kept in a private chapel of an Amarna house. The stela, topped by the cavetto cornice, is decorated with a scene of an intimate moment from the daily life of the royal family under the protection of Aten. - globalegyptianmuseum.org
Limestone sculpture, Imperial Period, A.D. 150–200, Syria.
An elaborate Palmyrene funerary monument with a Greek inscription “Aththaia, daughter of Malchos, Happy One, Farewell”. Although the Greek inscription betrays her Hellenic affinities, her face and the details of carving are thoroughly Eastern. The incised relief line of the eyebrows and the rubbery folds of the neck foreshadow Graeco-Buddhist sculpture in northern and northwestern India, and central Asia. The carving of the chiton (tunic) and himation is expertly handled, but the number of tight zigzag folds also foreshadows Late Antique and Byzantine art. - mfa.org (text and photo)
Painted cervidae skin, 17th century, Illinois, United States.
When this cape is worn in a non traditional way - when the collar of the skin is right of the wearer’s head - the geometrical form of a powerful flying creature can be seen. Eagles, hawks and the spiritual creature “Thunderbird” are very important for Native American cultures. This cape could also be some kind of ritual shroud.
Photo by quaibranly.fr
Ejagham mask, 20th century, Cross River, Nigeria. Wood, leather, metal and bones.
Mask used to perform warlike dances. Related to ancient customs of headhunting and cannibalism: the captured ennemy was eaten and his head was cleaned and dried to be used as the top of an helmet. Later the head was carved in wood and simply covered with human skin. - quaibranly.fr
Two bronze dōtaku (ritual bells), Yayoi period (about 300 BC-AD 300), Japan.
The origin of the dōtaku is thought to be the Chinese cattle bell. However, the Japanese did not practise cattle farming, so the first bells must have been imported as ritual objects. The fact that they are often found buried on isolated hill-sides and show evidence of having been buried and dug up several times, suggests their use in an agricultural ritual. - britishmuseum.org
