Composite Lion and Bull (1500–1000 BCE)
It depicts a mythical hybrid creature with two heads sharing a single body: one fierce, gaping lion head symbolizing power and aggression, and one calm bull head with horns representing fertility and strength.
Asia
Asia, a vast continent of ancient civilizations, diverse traditions, and artistic innovation spanning millennia.
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.
Male Atlantean Figure (300s CE)
Known as a Male Atlantean Figure, it likely formed part of an architectural or decorative program within a Buddhist monastic complex.
Mother Goddess (c.600 CE)
The mother goddess captures an intimate, everyday moment of maternal care—playful, protective, and deeply human—making it one of the most expressive and relatable representations of motherhood in early medieval Indian art.
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.
The Wade Cup (1200–1221 CE)
This Wade cup, a bowl-shaped drinking vessel, created in Iran during the early 13th century, features a dramatic animated inscription around the rim where Arabic letters are formed by lively full-figure human beings, animals, and birds.
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.