The Omphalos of Delphi (19th-20th century CE)
This Omphalos stands at the center of the earth, the point where Zeus marked the world’s navel and where Apollo’s oracle gave voice to divine knowledge.
Mythology
Inspired by myths and legends, from sculptures of gods to illustrated tales. This category brings to life the fantastical stories that shaped ancient beliefs and artistic expression.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Miniature Metate (700–1000 CE)
This miniature metate is a small, intricately carved stone grinding slab from Central Mexico, likely originating in Xochicalco (Morelos region) during the Epiclassic period.
Nursing Woman with Child (1800s-1900s CE)
A nursing woman bends toward her child, offering nourishment and protection. Yet beneath this seemingly simple motif lies a dense network of ideas about ancestry, knowledge, and what it means to become fully human within Senufo society in West Africa.
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.
Red-Figure Kylix (c. 480 BCE)
When lifting the kylix to drink, its painted interior reveals a lively encounter between the god and a dancing satyr, turning an everyday act of drinking into a moment of myth, humor, and reflection on excess and control.
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.
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.