Images

A pair of gold earrings from the Silla kingdom of ancient Korea, 5th-6th century CE. (British Museum, London)

A gold crown of the Silla kingdom, Korea. From the Auspicious Phoenix Tomb, Geumseong (Gyeongju), 5-6th century CE. The crown is made of sheet-gold and decorated with granulation and crescent-shaped jade pendants. The tree-like upright parts...

A stele from the Balhae kingdom depicting a seated Buddha. 698-926 CE. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

These enigmatic mounts may have been emblems of office. Rivets and rivet-holes show that some were attached to other objects, perhaps bone or ivory rods that decayed in the ground. The most elaborate mount comprises a gold filigree (beaded...

The potter's wheel remains stationary as the potter leans forwards to attach the handle to the cup. On the shelf above him are four kylixes in two piles, and an oinochoe (wine-jug). The figure below the wheel is probably a dog. Greek, made...

This lead weight was decorated with a terminal figure, cornucopia (horn of plenty), and an ear of barley. The weight is dated to the 4th year of a Hellenistic king. It is a standard mna (half stater) of a Greek city. A magistrate's name...

These fragments are from a set of six maple wood bottles or flasks, perhaps used for medium-strength alcoholic drinks, like mead or ale. Maple trees were uncommon in East Anglia, so their wood may have been highly prized. The gilded silver...

This elaborate cosmetics box, suspended on three chains, holds five small canisters for perfumes and unguents. The outside is decorated with images of eight of the nine classical Muses. A 9th figure on the top of the casket may be the final...

This shallow silver bowl is from a set of ten that were stacked upside-down inside the Suton Hoo burial chamber. They were made in the Eastern Mediterranean, possibly for religious use; their cross-shaped design may have had a Christian meaning...

This vessel was used for serving drinks at high status dinners. Typically, item like this was inscribed with good wishes for their users. The flask is decorated with cupids, animals, and fruit. Part of the Esquiline Treasure, which was discovered...