Fata Morgana (c. 1572 CE)
The Fata Morgana masterfully captures the illusion of soft flesh and fluid movement in unyielding stone, inviting viewers to circle it and appreciate its dynamic form from every perspective.
Antiquities
A diverse collection of historical antiquities crafted by human hands, spanning multiple cultures and eras.
The Age of Bronze (1875–76 CE)
The Age of bronze depicts a nude male figure in a moment of awakening, with one arm raised toward his head and the other slightly extended, evoking a sense of emerging consciousness and inner transformation.
Monster Caryatid (Late 500s CE)
This intriguing monster, originating from the late 500s CE during the Northern Qi dynasty, served as a supportive element in Buddhist cave temples, blending grotesque ferocity with protective symbolism to ward off evil spirits.
Snuff Bottle with European Figures (1736–95 CE)
Crafted in the 18th century, the snuff bottle exemplifies the artistry and cross-cultural exchanges of the era, offering a glimpse into how portable luxury items like this were not only functional but also symbols of imperial curiosity and refinement.
Li Taibo (1700s CE)
This piece not only showcases masterful craftsmanship from the Qing dynasty but also invites us to explore the poet Li Taibo's life, blending themes of indulgence, fortune, and the fleeting nature of existence.
Apollo and Daphne (c. 1700 CE)
Soldani captures the dramatic instant when the nymph Daphne transforms into a laurel tree to escape the pursuing god Apollo, offering viewers an immediate insight into Baroque art's obsession with movement, metamorphosis, and fleeting moments.
Grave Stele (c. 50 BCE)
This marble grave stele from southern Anatolia stands as an example of Hellenistic funerary art, combining architectural form, figural narrative, inscription, and symbolic imagery into a single, highly sophisticated monument.
Miniature Votive Stupa (435 CE)
This votive stupa carved in steatite and densely inscribed with sacred text and imagery, it encapsulates key aspects of early Chinese Buddhism: devotion, cosmology, and the transmission of religious ideas along the Silk Road.
Wild Boar Vessel (700–500 BCE)
The wild boar vessel is traditionally dated to between 700 and 500 BC and attributed to the Etruscan culture of ancient Italy. However, recent scientific analyses have complicated this attribution.
Fallen Caryatid Carrying Her Stone (1881 CE)
This work depicts a female figure, known as a fallen caryatid—a term from classical Greek architecture referring to a sculpted woman serving as a supporting column—collapsed under the immense weight of a stone she bears on her shoulder.
Potala Guanyin (900s CE)
Carved from precious sandalwood during China's tumultuous Five Dynasties period in the 900s, this portable figure depicts Potala Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion (known as Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit), who resides on the mythical Mount Potala.
Horn of Saint Blaise (1100–1200 CE)
This exquisite horn, dating back to the 12th century, showcases intricate carvings that blend cultural influences from across the Mediterranean, inviting us to explore a world of historical fusion where Arab craftsmanship met Christian relic veneration.