Sculpture/Artifacts
New Ireland Malagan Totem
The Malagan totem from late 19th century New Ireland is decorated with various pigments, including lime, in the form of carved wood. The eyes are made of tiger snail shells, and the hair is made of wooden handles fixed in the head socket. Malagan is a collective term in Northern New Ireland, primarily used for ceremonies commemorating the deceased, as well as for masks and carvings associated with them. This Malagan totem is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
White jade pottery from the Warring States period
The head of the white jade gourd is intricately carved with phoenix cloud patterns, with traces of vermilion coating on it. The body of the gourd is intricately carved with cloud patterns, and the end is carved with a fish head with a round hole. The Warring States period (475 BC to 221 BC) was the golden age of jade craftsmanship. At that time, jade hairpins were mostly used for decorating hair buns and had exquisite carving and inlay techniques. These jade hairpins usually present patterns of moving plants and mythological legends.
Guishan City Tian Shou Xiao Wa
The Kameyama Castle Tensho Showa is a tiger tile placed on the roof of the Kameyama Castle Tensho in Tanba from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period in 1852. The author and era can be seen from the belly of the beast head tile. It is said that the dragon gave birth to nine sons, and one of them was called Chi Kiss, also called the tail of the owl and the mouth of the owl, which moistened his throat and was thick and easy to swallow, so he became a swallow roof figures at both ends of the temple ridge and took it to fight the fire. After being introduced to Japan, it was called "chuo", which is roughly a whale like sea beast that seems fierce and capable of eating people.
Canopic jar from ancient Egypt
It is a ceramic or stone container used in ancient Egyptian funeral customs to preserve the internal organs of the deceased. In the mummification process of ancient Egypt, the heart was considered the dwelling place of the soul and therefore remained in the body, while other internal organs were removed and stored separately in canopic jars to prevent the body from rotting. These jars are usually accompanied by four different head sculptures representing the four guardian gods of ancient Egyptian mythology, namely the Kanopik god: Imseti with a human head, Hapi with a baboon head, Douamutiv with a jackal head, and Kebshannav with a falcon head. Each god guards a specific organ: the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines.
Bronze Turkic wine jar
The Turkic wine jar is a 5th century BC wine vessel, now housed in the Minneapolis Museum of Art in the United States. This storage container is part of an important hunting scene for the Hu people. They showcase the influence of nomadic art in northern China. The four main straps depict scenes of men hunting birds, deer, wild boars, and tigers with spears, knives, and bows and arrows. These pictorial scenes depicting human activities represent a revolutionary change in bronze art.
Tianma Tomb Golden Crown
The Tianmazhong Golden Crown is a Silla era golden crown, now collected at the Gyeongju National Museum in South Korea. This golden crown was unearthed in 1973 from the Tianma Tomb located in Qingzhou, and was worn on the head of the buried person at the time of excavation. The height of this golden crown is 32.5 centimeters, which is a typical golden crown style in Silla. The front of the golden crown has three "out" shaped vertical ornaments, and the back has two decorations resembling deer antlers.
Qing Dynasty gilded bronze statue of Guan Yu riding on horseback
Guan Yu (160-219 AD), also known as Yunchang, was an important general and historical figure of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period in China. He is a trusted aide and deputy general of Liu Bei, as well as a legendary figure in Liu Bei's clothing token "Scratching Bones for Healing". Standing at seven feet and five inches in length, with a beautiful and majestic beard, and high martial arts skills. He made significant military achievements for Liu Bei in the Battle of Red Cliffs and was awarded the title of "Marquis of Wu", becoming an important assistant and protector of Liu Bei. He is known for his loyalty and bravery, and is revered as the "Martial Saint" by people. Known as' Guan Gong 'by later generations and widely worshipped. The spirit and story of Guan Yu are widely praised in Chinese culture and have become legendary figures in history.
Qing Dynasty gilded offerings to Buddha
This is a Buddha statue from 1850 AD, currently housed in the Minneapolis Museum of Art in the United States. This Buddha statue sits in the tentacle print on the ground, depicting the scene of Buddha about to awaken under the Bodhi tree. This moment is often described as a powerful battle between good and evil, confusion and insight.
The Peony Dance Vase
The vase of 'Sparrow Dance Peony' is an artwork made using Baoqing bamboo carving techniques. Baoqing bamboo carving is a traditional art form in Hunan Province, with a complete range of carving techniques, rich themes, unique techniques, and high artistic value and cultural connotations. This technique not only requires artists to have superb artistic expression skills, but also needs to be able to integrate the aesthetic taste of literati with the artistic conception of classical Chinese painting and calligraphy. The themes of Baoqing bamboo carving are diverse, ranging from anecdotes about characters to religious stories, from landscape customs to flowers, birds, grass, and insects. It is a work of art with complex craftsmanship, rich themes, and strong color expression.
Zhou Dynasty Three legged Cauldron
This cultural relic is a three legged tripod, a bronze vessel, and its ceramic prototype can be traced back to the Peiligang culture of the Neolithic Age. In the early Shang Dynasty (1600-1300 BC), bronze versions of the flat footed tripod began to be cast. Ding is an ancient Chinese cooking or storage vessel, usually with two handles located at the edges, supported by three or four cylindrical legs. The shape of the tripod was almost ubiquitous in early China, including ceramic vessels from the Neolithic period and bronze vessels from the Shang Dynasty, as well as many later imitations of bronze and glazed pottery. This artifact is housed in the Minneapolis Museum of Art.
Great Fortune "gourd shaped plaque
The magnificent royal decorative lapis lazuli "Da Ji" double gourd shaped plaque from the Qianlong period.
Cloisonn é vase during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty
This is a Qing Dynasty cloisonn é vase, now collected at the Minneapolis Museum of Art in the United States. Cloisonn é technology was introduced to China from Byzantium (now Istanbul) between 1200 and 1400 AD, but Chinese craftsmen endowed it with unique Chinese characteristics. During the reigns of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722) and Emperor Qianlong (1736-95) of the Qing Dynasty, the craft of cloisonn é was perfected and reached its artistic peak. At the bottom of the vase, there is a delicate moire band. Each moire is like Ruyi's head, and there is a narrow lotus curl.
The Vase of 'Quiet Mountains and Streams'
The vase of "Quiet Mountains and Streams" is an artwork made using Baoqing bamboo carving techniques. Baoqing bamboo carving is a traditional handicraft in Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, China, known for its exquisite carving techniques and unique artistic style. This work was completed by Zhang Zongfan, the inheritor of Baoqing bamboo carving intangible cultural heritage, and his students, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of Baoqing bamboo carving. The size of this vase is 28 centimeters wide and 54 centimeters high, which is a work that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Baoqing bamboo carving has a long history, and its works usually have high artistic value. It showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional handicrafts.
The relief bamboo tube of "Wenguang Shooting Dou"
The relief bamboo tube of "Wen Guang She Dou" is an artwork completed by Zhang Zongfan, the inheritor of Baoqing bamboo carving intangible cultural heritage, and his students. This work showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Baoqing bamboo carving, with dimensions of 8 centimeters wide and 13 centimeters high. Baoqing bamboo carving is a traditional handicraft in Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, China, known for its exquisite carving techniques and unique artistic style. The idiom 'Wen Guang Shi Dou' is usually used to describe articles with literary charm, shining brightly like shooting towards the Big Dipper. The relief bamboo tube of "Wen Guang She Dou" is not only a handicraft that showcases traditional skills, but also a carrier that conveys cultural value and artistic beauty.
Qing Dynasty cloisonn é cloisonn é enamel lotus pedestal
The Qing Dynasty cloisonn é cloisonn é enamel lotus pedestal is made of copper wire cut into various patterned contours, then filled with enamel glazes of different colors. After firing, polishing and other processes, it finally forms a brightly colored and exquisitely patterned artwork. These paintings often depict Buddhist scriptures, images of saints, or religious symbols, which not only have high artistic value, but also carry profound religious and cultural significance.
Qing Dynasty relief dragon patterned vase
This Chinese cultural relic is a porcelain vase from the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty (1662-1722), which is now collected in the Smithsonian Museum.
"Xiaoxiang charm" bas-relief vase
"Xiaoxiang charm" bas-relief vase is a fusion of traditional technology and modern design works. This work was completed by Zhang Zongfan, the non-genetic inheritor of Baoqing bamboo carving, and his students, showing the exquisite bamboo spring carving technology. The size of this work is 8.8cm wide and 20cm high. Through the technique of bas relief, the theme of "Xiaoxiang Charm" is presented on the vase in the form of art, reflecting the cultural characteristics and craft aesthetics of Hunan. It is a work of art showing the intangible cultural heritage of Hunan. Let people better understand and appreciate the traditional culture and technology of Hunan.
Gilded Bodhisattva Statues of Qing Dynasty
The artifact is one of a pair of gilded bodhisattva statues from 18th century AD China. It is now housed in the Minneapolis Museum of Art. Although the two statues are mirror images of each other, they do not represent the same bodhisattva; they are Maitreya and Guanyin, respectively. They stand in elegant poses, holding the stems of a lotus flower, probably part of a sculptural trinity that surrounds a larger Buddha.
Japanese Crane and Bamboo Pattern Porcelain Plate
A richly decorated piece of Japanese porcelain. This work shows the landscape of two cranes and blooming cherry trees with fine hand-painted craftsmanship. Bamboo branches, roses and shrubs are also painted in the background, full of natural beauty and the charm of oriental art. The pattern on the porcelain plate not only reflects the pursuit of natural and harmonious beauty in Japanese culture, but also shows the superb skills of traditional Japanese painting art.
Late merchant bronze three-legged jue wine vessel
Jue is a vessel used in ancient China to serve warm wine in ancestor worship rituals. It is ovoid and supported by three spreading triangular legs, with a long curved beak on one side and a balanced handle on the other. Many examples have one or two ring handles on the sides and two column protrusions on the top, which may be used to enable people to lift the vessel with a belt. They are usually gorgeously decorated and have gluttonous decorations.
Chimu Painted Double Body Container
It is a representative work of the Chimu culture, an artifact from 1200 to 1440 BC, originating from Peru. It consists of two oval parts with a flat bottom, one of which is turned upside down to form an opening, and the other is decorated with the image of a bird's head. The unique design not only shows the exquisite ceramic art technology in Chimu culture, but also reflects the aesthetic taste and cultural characteristics of the society at that time. It is of great value in cultural and historical research, not only showing the artistic characteristics of Chimu culture, but also reflecting the lifestyle and religious beliefs of the society at that time. It was an important civilization in the Andean region of pre-Columbian South America.
Shang Dynasty Bronze Gong Wine Ware
It's a ritual used to hold wine. It was mainly made during the reign of King Wu and King Zhao in the late Shang Dynasty (1300-1046 BC), and during the early Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-977 BC). Found in Anyang, this deep, boat-shaped wine-tipper demonstrates almost perfect craftsmanship. On the lower part of the handle and side are carved Taotie masks.
Tübingen University Museum Attica red pottery bottle
A ceramic vessel from the ancient Greek period characterized by a black glaze on red clay pottery, with figures and figures in the outline of the pattern retaining the original red color of the clay, creating a sharp contrast. This style, which appeared around 530 BC and reached its peak in the 5th century BC, is representative of pottery making in the Attica region of ancient Greece. The red colored pottery bottle is usually used to mix water and wine. Its shape is wide mouth, short neck, deep abdomen, handles on both sides, and wide and stable circle feet at the bottom. Not only had a practical function in ancient Greek society, the patterns on the surface also reflected the cultural and artistic level of ancient Greece.
University Museum of Tübingen Rome Oil Lamp
Roman oil lamp characterized by a triangular wick hole and decorated with spiral patterns. The decorative style embodies the refinement and pragmatism of Roman art. Its design is not only beautiful, but also takes into account the efficiency of lighting. Three concentric circles inside depict a pegasus, a winged horse in Roman mythology that symbolizes power and speed. It is a lighting tool in the daily life of the Roman period, and it is also the crystallization of art and technology. It not only provides a light source, but also reflects the cultural and religious beliefs of the society at that time to a certain extent. Originated in Sardinia and donated by EduardToda.
Western Zhou tripod
This relic is a tripod, a bronze vessel, and its ceramic prototype can be traced back to the Neolithic Peiligang culture. In the early Shang Dynasty (1600-1300 BC), bronze versions of the Pingzu Ding were cast. Ding is an ancient Chinese cooking or storage vessel, usually with two handles at the edge, supported by three or four columnar legs. The shape of the tripod is almost ubiquitous in China's early eras, including Neolithic ceramic vessels and Shang dynasty bronze vessels, as well as many later bronze and glazed pottery imitations. This artifact is in the collection of the Minneapolis Museum of Art.
University Museum of Tubingen Pomegranate Pottery
The University Museum of Tubingen has a collection of pottery art with a pomegranate theme. An ancient ceramic work of art, the pomegranate is a symbol of prosperity and harvest in many cultures. It is a cultural relic with a long history. Its fine craftsmanship and vivid modeling not only show the superb skills of ancient artists, but also reflect the important status and symbolic significance of pomegranate in history. The University Museum of Tubingen is located in Tubingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The university was founded in 1477 and is one of the oldest universities in the world. Its museum may have a collection of various cultural relics and works of art from ancient times to the present.
The container of Tibetan sutra in the period of Koryo
This relic is a box of sutras known as the "container of Tibetan sutras", from the Korean Koryo period (918-1392) around 1100 AD. It is made of gold-plated copper with embossed decorations, and the overall dimensions are 10.2 x 6.5 x 1.5cm. This sutra box was once used to preserve miniature Buddhist sacred texts. By hammering the reverse side, the front and back of the box are engraved with relief designs depicting a peaceful pond boy holding a huge lotus in his hand and a pair of mandarin ducks swimming. These playing boys may represent the newly born soul in the Pure Land. Collected at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
King Kong Lex Hum
The door gods are known in Japan as the Kongers, and their role is to protect the temple and Buddhism. Door gods (Niō) usually appear in pairs, with one mouth open and one mouth closed. Those who open their mouths are called A, and those who close their mouths are called Hum. Corresponds to the second generals of Chinese Buddhism. These two names stand for the first and last syllables in Sanskrit, symbolizing the beginning and end of all things. The pair of statues are now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
King Kong, Hercules
The door gods are known in Japan as the Kongers, and their role is to protect the temple and Buddhism. Door gods (Niō) usually appear in pairs, with one mouth open and one mouth closed. Those who open their mouths are called A, and those who close their mouths are called Hum. Corresponds to the second generals of Chinese Buddhism. These two names stand for the first and last syllables in Sanskrit, symbolizing the beginning and end of all things. The pair of statues are now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Bamboo spring hexagonal food box
The bamboo spring hexagonal food box carved by Baoqing is a work of art that combines traditional craftsmanship with practical functions. The works completed by Zhang Zongfan, the inheritor of Baoqing bamboo carving intangible cultural heritage, and his students show the exquisite bamboo spring carving craftsmanship of Baoqing bamboo carving. The hexagonal design is not only beautiful in appearance, but also stable in structure, suitable for storing food. Bamboo spring carving is a special technique in Baoqing bamboo carving. Through meticulous carving on the spring surface of bamboo (I. e., the inner wall of bamboo), the work presents a unique texture and three-dimensional sense. The design is ingenious and the carving is fine, which reflects the aesthetic taste of Chinese traditional culture.
Dancing King Kong Hai Mother
This is a small stone tablet called "Dancing King Kong Hai Mother", created in Nepal from 1000 to 1100 AD. The overall size of the statue is 9.6 x 5.3cm. The statue is now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. King Kong Hai Mother, also known as King Kong Yoga Mother, is one of the Buddhist King Kong (Tantra) statues and belongs to the system of empty mothers. The Ming concubine of Shengle King Kong and Great Compassion Red Guanyin originated in India from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The mother-to-mother revered by the four major sects is mainly used to make the spirit of the treasure bottle and the concept of self-determination.
The theme of "Gao Shi under the pine tree" is bamboo tube (I)
Baoqing bamboo carving is a traditional bamboo carving art originated from Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, China. It is famous for its exquisite craftsmanship and profound cultural connotation. The theme bamboo tube of "Gao Shi under the Pine Tree" is a work carefully created by Zhang Zongfan, the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Baoqing bamboo carving, and his students, showing the ideal image of Gao Shi in traditional Chinese culture. The bamboo green carving process, that is, carving on the green skin of bamboo, maintains the natural color and texture of bamboo. It is not only a handicraft showing skills, but also a work of art containing philosophical thinking and aesthetic pursuit.
Juniper Foal Dog Right
The pair of foals are artifacts from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) in Japan. They are made of Japanese cypress wood with lacquer, gold leaf and color. The height of this foal is 45.7cm. Colts are usually placed at the entrance to the shrine to ward off evil. The colt on the right has an open mouth, while the colt on the left has a closed mouth. These characteristics are related to the opening and closing of the two door gods who protect Buddhist temples. Collected at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
"Under the Pine Tree" Theme Bamboo Tube (Part 2)
Baoqing bamboo carving is a traditional bamboo carving art originated from Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, China. It is famous for its exquisite craftsmanship and profound cultural connotation. The theme bamboo tube of "Gao Shi under the Pine Tree" is a work carefully created by Zhang Zongfan, the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Baoqing bamboo carving, and his students, showing the ideal image of Gao Shi in traditional Chinese culture. The bamboo green carving process, that is, carving on the green skin of bamboo, maintains the natural color and texture of bamboo. It is not only a handicraft showing skills, but also a work of art containing philosophical thinking and aesthetic pursuit.
Bamboo Root Carving with Cattle Theme
Baoqing bamboo carving is a traditional handicraft in Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, China, which is famous for its fine carving skills and unique artistic style. The bamboo root carving with the theme of cattle grazing is one of the representative works of this traditional craft, which was jointly completed by Zhang Zongfan, the inheritor of Baoqing bamboo carving intangible cultural heritage, and his students. The natural form of bamboo roots is skillfully combined with the scene of cattle herding, showing the tranquility and harmony of pastoral style. The carving details are rich, whether it is a child herding cattle or a leisurely grazing cattle, they are lifelike, full of movement and vitality. With high artistic value and collection value, it is a treasure of Chinese traditional arts and crafts.
