Objects tied to spiritual beliefs and practices, from sacred icons to ritual tools. This category reflects the diversity of faith and devotion that has shaped cultures across millennia.
Carved from precious sandalwood during China's tumultuous Five Dynasties period in the 900s, this portable figure depicts Potala Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion (known as Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit), who resides on the mythical Mount Potala.
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.
The portable altar was commissioned by Countess Gertrude of Brunswick, a member of the powerful Guelph dynasty, one of the most influential noble families in the medieval Holy Roman Empire.
Dating to the 1000s–1100s in Nepal, the sculpture captures her in a dynamic, ecstatic tantric pose symbolizing the transformative energy of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Shaped like a clothed human forearm with an outstretched right hand in a gesture of blessing, this reliquary was designed to house a sacred relic—in this case, a portion of an unidentified saint’s arm bone.
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.
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.
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.
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.