Images

This ancient Japanese incense burner has a lion-shaped weight at the end of its handle. It was cast in bronze and dates from the 8th century CE during the Nara period in Japanese history. (Tokyo National Museum)

This forged gilt bronze bowl dates from the 8th century CE. Bowls were one of the six items that a Buddhist priest was expected to have on his person. This bowl, used for making food offerings to the Buddha, was placed on a ring-like stand...

Made of wood with polychrome, cut gold leaf, and crystal eyes, this is one of the most remarkable statues from ancient Japan. The ink inscription eclosed in the statue of Bishamon Ten (Vaisravana) reveals that it was dedicated on the seventh...

The sculpture, whose artist's name is unknown, was probably donated by Gelon to the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi to commemorate his victory in a chariot race in the 63th Olympiad of 488 BCE. It was supposed to represent the lord of Gela...

This is a portion of the "Bussetsu zoho ketsugi kyo," which was a sutra copied by hand in ink on paper in 12th-century CE Japan. (Tokyo National Museum)

This is one of 60 scrolls from a transcription of the "Avatamsaka Sutra." Ruled lines in gold pigment segment the paper, which is decorated with flakes of god. At some point, the top and bottom of this scroll were burnt in a fire with the...

This sculpture dates from 10th-century CE Japan and is made of wood with polychrome. It depicts the deity Sakra Devanam Indra (or "Taishaku Ten" in Japanese). This deity may be traced back to Indra, a god of war in ancient India who was alted...

This ritual stand has a lotus flower and arabesque design. It is made of gilt bronze and dates from the 12th century CE, which corresponds to the Heian era. Important cultural property. (Tokyo National Museum)

This object was excavated at Mt. Nachi in Wakayama, Japan. It dates from the 12th century CE and is made of gilt bronze. (Tokyo National Museum)

A map indicating the principal towns in Sicily during the 5th century BCE.