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.
Tag 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.
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.
Torso of Venus (1-200 CE)
This elegant, fragmentary venus piece captures the graceful contrapposto pose and idealized nude female form characteristic of classical Greek sculpture, specifically inspired by Praxiteles's renowned Aphrodite of Knidos (ca. 350 BCE).
Black-Figure Poseidon Neck Amphora (c. 540 BCE)
The scene has been interpreted as representing either a gathering of gods inculding poseidon for a divine council on Mount Olympus or their departure for the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, a mythological event frequently depicted in Archaic art.
Red-Figure Lekythos (c.490 BCE)
Crafted in Attic ceramic tradition, this lekythos not only served practical purposes but also embodied the artistic pinnacle of late Archaic Greece, blending heroism and sensuality in a way that invites viewers to explore ancient myths and daily life.
Octafoil-Shaped Mirror Featuring Ci Fei (900-1400 CE)
Its polished front served as a reflective surface, while the intricately decorated back tells a heroic tale, making it both a functional and symbolic object dedicated to Ci Fei.
Rustam Killing The White Div (1560-1580 CE)
This particular Rustam illustration, created in Shiraz, a major center for manuscript production, reflects the Safavid era’s emphasis on cultural identity and artistic excellence.