Images

Stools were the most common pieces of furniture used in ancient Egypt. This ivory leg was probably attached to a frame by means of a leather thong lashed through the holes. From its cylinder shape, it was likely to have been the front leg...

The jar was precious, not only because of the golden handles, but also because of the material it is made of; malachite. Only one other example is known. It came from the tomb of pharaoh Djer, making it likely that this example also came...

This handle features a bust of Juno, below which is a seated figure of Mercury, and in the lower register, Bucchus and Ariadne. This fragment was part of a silver vessel. Some of these fragments of highly decorated silver vessels, perhaps...

One of the Egyptian king's principal duties was to defend and expand the borders of Egypt. This ivory label, once tied to a pair of sandals, depicts king Den smiting a foreigner from the east. Rock carvings of Den near the turquoise mines...

This ivory pyxis (round box) shows the saint Menas with camels. His shrine near Alexandria in Egypt was a popular pilgrim site in the Byzantine Empire. Menas, an Egyptian soldier, was executed by Emperor Diocletian (reigned 284-305 CE) for...

While Christianity was the state religion of the Byzantine Empire, pagan imagery remained popular. Knowledge of classical literature, which often portrayed the lives of pagan gods and heroes, was considered a sign of culture and good education...

While Christianity was the state religion of the Byzantine Empire, pagan imagery remained popular. Knowledge of classical literature, which often portrayed the lives of pagan gods and heroes, was considered a sign of culture and good education...

This small circular relief shows Hercules wrestling Anteus. This fragment was part of a silver vessel. Some of these fragments of highly decorated silver vessels, perhaps from a temple treasure, were found in 1747 CE. All the decoration is...

This Wari (Huari) vessel from the Apogee Epoch (c. 1 CE - 800 CE) combines sculpture with color and has motifs outlined in black. Housed at Museo Larco, Lima, Peru.

This portrait vessel was made during the Moche civilization's Apogee Epoch (c. 1 CE - 800 CE). House in Museo Larco, Lima, Peru.