Detail from the Etruscan Larthia Seianti sarcophagus, About 175-150 AD, From Chiusi, Siena.
Photo taken by Egisto Sani:
The cover of this terracotta sarcophagus depicts Larthia Seianti, a rich lady lived in the South Tuscany near Chiusi. The woman is portrayed lying-down on a kline. She is wearing a sumptuous and colorful clothing, and her figure is adorned by rich jewelry. The left arm is leaning against two colored cushions; her left hand, with the fingers richly decorated by rings, holds a round mirror. Her right hand puts away from the face the cloak covering her head.
A diadem made by flowers, presumably a wreath, embellishes her hair. A necklace decorated with a medallion representing Medusa’s head, is hanging around her neck. Two gold coronation bracelets, armillas, and red earrings in the shape of acorns complete the ornament of Larthia Seianti. (x)
Courtesy & currently located at the Museo Archeologico Etrusco, Florence.
Source: flickr.com
The Archaic Greek Lion of Kea, thought to date to around the 6th century BC, sculptor unknown. Ioulida, island of Kea.
Though much ambiguity still surrounds this stone carved smiling lion, it is thought relate to the mythology of Kea, which was once known as “The Water Island”
The island was considered to be inhabited by water Nymphs. Due to its exceptional beauty, the Gods were jealous of the island and sent a lion down to ravage it of its beauty. The lion drove all the Nymphs out of the island and the island dried out.
The inhabitants of Kea then asked Apollo’s son, Aristaeus for help and he built a temple to the mightiest of all Gods, Zeus. This act pleased Zeus and he brought rain to the island and the nymphs back to it, as well. (x)
Photos courtesy & taken by Phso2
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
The Ancient Roman Gravestone of Helena, about A.D. 150 - 200, marble.
Courtesy & currently located at the Getty Villa, Malibu:
A Maltese dog in the architectural setting of a naiskos, or small shrine, decorates this Roman grave relief. The inscription on the relief reads, “To Helena, foster daughter, the incomparable and worthy soul.”
Was the Helena commemorated by this sculpture a dog or a girl? The Romans made grave reliefs for animals, but these usually took a different form and their inscriptions specify that they were intended for an animal. On the other hand, funerary monuments for children often show the child with a favorite pet. In this instance, however, the pet is shown alone, which might be more appropriate if Helena was not a high-born Roman. The inscription appears to support this interpretation because the word alumnus, although here translated as “foster daughter,” can also mean a slave raised in the house.
Photo taken by Wolfgang Sauber
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Ancient Mayan stucco head, Classic Period (300-900), originates from the Usumacinta region.
Courtesy & currently located at the Musées Royaux d’art et d’Histoire, Brussels, Belgium. Photo taken by Michel wal.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Priest-King or Diety, about 1600 BC, Hittite, North Syria, basalt with bone eyes.
Courtesy & currently located at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA. Photo taken by Daderot
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Ancient Greek bronze sculpture of Sleeping Eros, 3rd BC-1st AD.
Courtesy & currently located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Photo taken by sailko
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Olmec colossal head: Monument 6, one of the eight colossal heads discovered at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan. It was carved from basalt boulder brought from Cerro Cinetepec of the Tuxtla Mountains.
Courtesy & currently located at the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico. Photo taken by Luidger
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Bronze war chariot of the Ancient Chinese Terracotta Army, late third century BC.
Courtesy & currently located at the The Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, China. Photo taken by Maros Mraz
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Ancient Celtic bust of Marcus Aurelius, dates to about 180 AD, from Avenches, Switzerland.
Through his portraits, the emperor is constantly in attendance over his vast empire. The hair is combed back from the forehead, representing a typical Celtic hairstyle and reveals the Gallo-Roman origin of the artist. Hammered from a single sheet of gold, the bust is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Courtesy & currently located at the Historical Museum of Bern. Photo taken by Xuan Che
Source: Flickr / rosemania
Stone relief of Vajrasattva, from eastern India, the Supreme Buddha holding the symbols of wisdom and compassion.
Courtesy & currently located at the British Museum, London. Photo taken by Mistvan
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Helmeted Minerva (Athena) holding a tiny owl. Marble and golden onyxmarble, 2nd century AD and 18th century restorations. The onyx body is a Roman copy of the Hera Borghese type; the statue was restored as Minerva by adding marble head and arms.
Courtesy & currently located at the Louvre, France. Photo taken by Jastrow
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
So called “Alexander Rondanini”. Ancient copy, the original belongs to a group created by Euphranor: King Philip of Macedon on his chariot lead by 4 horses; his son Alexander, taking on the chariot, holds the reins in both hands (armor and garb added the copist). Creation of the group after the Battle of Chaeronea, 338 BC.
Courtesy & currently located at the Glyptothek, Munich, Germany. Photo taken by Bibi Saint-Pol
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Standing-striding figure of Nefertiti, made of limestone, Amarna; New Kingdom, 18th dynasty; c. 1345 BC.
Courtesy & currently located at the Egyptian Museum, Berlin. Photo taken by Andreas Praefcke
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Marble portrait bust of Perikles, 2nd century AD, said to be from Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli, Lazio, Italy.
Artifact statement from the British Museum:
Perikles (died 429 BC) led the democracy of Athens at the height of the city’s power and influence. He gathered around him a circle of poets, architects and artists, whose works include a programme of renewal of the principal religious and civic buildings of Athens. The crowning glory was the Parthenon, erected on the Acropolis between 447 and 432 BC. Perikles was famous for the power of his oratory (public speaking) that enabled him to rule Athens almost without opposition.
This is a Roman copy of an original portrait which was perhaps created in Perikles’ own day, or shortly after his death. However, it probably bears little physical resemblance to Perikles’ actual appearance, showing an ideal type of the mature soldier citizen, wearing a helmet pushed back on his head.
The portrait is shaped as a ‘terminal bust’ for mounting on a square shaft of stone. It is said to come from the Roman emperor Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli, near Rome. It was later part of the collection of Charles Townley.
Courtesy & currently located at the British Museum, London. Photo taken by Mike Peel
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
The Etruscan painted terracotta sarcophagus of Seainti Hanunia Tlesnasa, dates to about 150-130 BCE, from Poggio Cantarello, near Chiusi in Tuscany. The skeleton from the sarcophagus was found to belong to a woman who was about fifty years old at the time of her death.
Courtesy & currently located at the British Museum, London. Photo taken by sailko
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
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