Images

This magnificent glass cage cup is is decorated with scenes from the myth of Lycurgus, a king from Thrace. Lycurgus attacked Dionysos, the Greek god of wine, as well as the maenads (Dionysos' female followers) and Ambrosia the nymph. Ambrosia...

This is one of just 4 complete helmets to survive from Anglo-Saxon England. It has been painstakingly reconstructed from the shattered condition in which it was found. The Sutton Hoo Helmet's exceptional survival and haunting appearance have...

This rhyton is one of the most famous pieces of silverware to survive the Persian Empire. The front is in the form of winged griffin wearing a necklace originally inlaid with a semi-precious stone. The top is decorated with palmettes and...

This is one of a pair of golden armlets. These objects are among the most important surviving items from ancient Persian craftsmanship. It is likely that they were intended for display rather than being worn. The lion-griffin terminals were...

This gold fish-shaped vessel might have been used to contain expensive oils. On the side there is a loop intended for suspension or to attach a stopper which was later lost. The detail of the decoration suggests that it is an attempt to accurately...

This gold bowl was decorated with pushed-out lobes and lions standing on their hind-legs with their front paws raised. The shape and decoration of the bowl was made by hammering. Part of the Oxus treasure, from Takht-i Kuwad, Tajikistan...

The Egyptian god Bes is depicted on the front of this gold model chariot. Bes was the protective deity of the young, and this would suggest the chariot was made for a child. Chariots with the same profile and the wheel construction are shown...

This statue came from Italy. Set on a Roman funerary altar with Latin inscription for "Ti Cl Corinthus." The altar was found near Porta Capena at Rome in 1713 CE and acquired by General Sir H. J. Montresor, circa 1750 CE. Roman, 2nd century...

Roman copy of an original by the Greek sculptor Lysippos of about 325-300 BCE. Restored and set into a modern bust by the English sculptor Joseph Nollekens. Said to have been found at the foot of Mount Vesuvius and presented to the British...

The torso and support by the right ride are ancient (probably from a statue of Dionysus). Restored as Appollo by Carlo Albacini in 18th century. Formerly in the Farnese Collection in Rome. Roman, 2nd century CE. The British Museum, London.