An Elderly Bedouin Man (1890s CE)
This late nineteenth-century photograph portrays an elderly Bedouin man seated in dignified composure, dressed in traditional desert garments and marked by the presence of age, experience, and authority.
19th Century
A rich assortment of objects from the 19th century, an era of industrialization, romanticism, and colonial exchange. These pieces reflect the technological advances, artistic movements, and societal shifts of this vibrant period.
Wedding Sword Dance (1890s CE)
Performed at weddings and joyous occasions, this ancient Bedouin ritual captivates onlookers by blending martial prowess with cultural poetry, evoking the vast Arabian deserts' spirit of unity and bravery.
Egyptian Mummy Seller (1875 CE)
Depicting an egyptian street vendor surrounded by mummified bodies and artifacts for sale, this image evokes the era's fascination with Egyptomania, blending curiosity, exploitation, and a disregard for cultural heritage.
A Bedouin Young Woman (1890s CE)
Taken during the late 19th or early 20th century, it offers a poignant glimpse into the nomadic life of Bedouin desert-dwellers at a pivotal moment of transition, as modern influences began to reshape their ancient way of existence.
Bandit’s Roost, Mulberry Street (c. 1888 CE)
This black-and-white photograph depicts a group of young men, likely affiliated with local street gangs, posing defiantly in a narrow, shadowy alleyway known as Bandit’s Roost in the notorious Five Points neighborhood.
Pinkerton, President Lincoln and McClernand (1862 CE)
The photograph originated during President Lincoln's inspection visit to the Union Army's encampment at Antietam, Maryland, following the Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg) on September 17, 1862.
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.
Carved Tooth (Late 1800s CE)
Wrapping around the surface of the carved tooth, human figures, animals, and patterned motifs unfold like a visual story, inviting close inspection and rewarding the attentive eye with layers of meaning about trade, encounter, and cultural change in Central Africa.
Terpsichore Lyran (1816 CE)
This life-size lyran embodies serene grace and ideal beauty, portraying Terpsichore—one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology—as the inspiring force behind lyric poetry.