Canosa Askos (270-200 BCE)
Rather than relying on a single image or a painted scene, this large Canosa askos builds its meaning through a combination of vessel form, colour, and applied figures.
Italy
Italy, a land renowned for its art, history, and cultural influence. These objects span ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and beyond, reflecting Italy’s enduring legacy in creativity and craftsmanship.
Hecate Triformis (c. 50–350 CE)
This marble sculpture presents Hecate in one of her most distinctive ancient forms: not as a single standing goddess, but as three joined female figures arranged around a central axis.
Asclepius and Hygieia (100–200 CE)
Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, sits on an elevated chair with his hand resting on the head of a serpent, while Hygieia stands before him preparing a libation.
Ibis Eating a Lizard (100 BCE – 100 CE)
This Ibis, dating to around 100 BC to AD 100, blends exotic Egyptian symbolism with Roman artistic flair, offering a glimpse into the cultural exchanges of the ancient world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Roman Bronze Olpe (1–100 CE)
Thos olpes pear-shaped body, high curved handle, and intricate relief decorations featuring Dionysian themes make it a striking example of functional art that blended utility with symbolic elegance.
The Vicarello Goblet (25 BCE – 25 CE)
This small silver Vicarello drinking cup, discovered near ancient thermal springs north of Rome, features a finely detailed relief scene depicting a rustic ritual in honor of Priapus, the Roman god of fertility, gardens, and male sexuality.
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.