Portable Altar of Countess Gertrude (c. 1045 CE)
The portable altar was commissioned by Countess Gertrude of Brunswick, a member of the powerful Guelph dynasty, one of the most influential noble families in the medieval Holy Roman Empire.
Ceremonial & Religious
Items designed for rituals, religious practices, and special ceremonies from around the globe. This category includes ornate tools, masks, and symbols that highlight the spiritual and communal traditions of various societies.
Arm Reliquary of the Apostles (c. 1190 CE)
Shaped like a clothed human forearm with an outstretched right hand in a gesture of blessing, this reliquary was designed to house a sacred relic—in this case, a portion of an unidentified saint’s arm bone.
Vase with Trophy-Heads (c. 450–600 CE)
The imagery on the vase reflects a key aspect of Nasca religious and social life: the practice of headhunting, which was not random violence but a deeply symbolic act tied to fertility, death, and the renewal of life.
Bidri Basin (c. 1650 CE)
The Bidri Basin, dating to around 1650 from Bidar in Karnataka, southwestern India, stands as a magnificent example of Bidriware, a renowned and distinctive metalcraft tradition from the Deccan region.
Portable Icon of Shakyamuni (c.1181-1218 CE)
The sculpture illustrates the bhūmisparśa mudrā, the “earth-touching gesture,” one of the most important hand gestures in Buddhist art. It symbolizes unshakable resolve, truth, and the moment of awakening, portraied by Shakyamuni.
Portrait of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1200s CE)
Although modest in size, the sculpture of Phagmo Drupa immediately commands attention through its rich materials, intricate inlay, and the serene, authoritative presence of the lama, who is depicted in a Buddha-like posture that underscores his spiritual attainment.
Ceremonial Chair or Throne (1800s CE)
This elaborate wooden chairserved as a powerful symbol of authority for Chokwe supreme chiefs. What makes this particular example especially remarkable is its extraordinary decoration: over 40 intricately carved figures arranged in complex scenes.
Double-Sided Votive Relief (305-30 BCE)
This small double-sided votive relief, also known as a sculptor's trial piece or model, is a finely carved limestone flake (ostracon) from ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic dynasty (305–30 BCE).
Patera with Man Riding Monster (1–200 CE)
A patera is a shallow bowl or dish traditionally used for libations—the ritual pouring of liquids such as water, wine, or oil as offerings to deities, ancestors, or sacred forces.
Gigaku Mask of Persian Boy (710–794 CE)
Crafted from lightweight paulownia wood and vividly painted, this gigaku mask represents the youthful son of a widowed Persian elder in gigaku, a lively form of masked dance drama imported from continental Asia.
Model Figure of a Man (1980–1801 BCE)
Despite its modest size, the figure of a man offers a vivid entry point into Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, where images were not merely symbolic but actively participated in ensuring eternal existence.
Bronze Barbarian (1-100 CE)
In Roman art, “barbarians” were a recurring motif used to define Roman identity through contrast. Clothing such as trousers (braccae), beards, long hair, and the soft conical Phrygian cap marked figures as foreign and non-Roman.