Colossal Priest Torso (450-425 BCE)
Standing before us is the upper half of a once-towering limestone statue—a bearded man frozen in solemn dignity. Carved more than 2,400 years ago on the island of Cyprus.
Limestone
Limestone, a sedimentary rock widely used in ancient construction and sculpture. This category includes carvings and architectural fragments that highlight its versatility and texture.
Torso of a Dancing Faun (1st Centruy CE)
Head, arms, and legs are gone, yet the fragment immediately reads as a faun—one of the wild, lustful woodland beings who followed Dionysus, god of wine.
Votary Figure (c. 470 BCE)
A bearded votary figure stands still, wrapped in heavy folds of drapery, with almond-shaped eyes and a faint smile. His right arm is gone. The wreath on his head remains..
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.
Enthroned Virgin with Christ Child (c. 1400CE)
Crafted in limestone with bright polychromy (multiple colors) and gilding, this enthroned virgin blends tenderness with deep theological meaning, making it a poignant example of late medieval devotional art.
Fragment of a Goat’s Head (c. 500–475 BCE)
What at first glance appears to be a simple fragment of a goat opens the door to questions about myth, movement, and meaning in early Greek art.
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).
Stela of Pasherienimhotep (145-100 BCE)
In ancient Egypt, stelae ensured the deceased’s memory and sustenance in the afterlife through offerings of bread, beer, and meat. This one, dedicated to Pasherienimhotep is a well preserved gem.
Veneration of the Buddha as a Fiery Pillar (200s CE)
Carved in the 200s CE, this limestone panel from Nagarjunakonda, India, frames Buddha as a flaming pillar with celestial figures as a veneration.