Images

Snakes (nagas) can often be seen in Hindu art; they are demi-gods who represent water or the earth. Here, Vishnu sleeps on the coils of Ananta, the World Snake. He will awaken for the next cycle of creation which heralds the destruction of...

This marvelous pair of golden bracelets were probably found at Pompeii, Italy. Roman, 1st century CE. (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK)

The Vatican Apoxyomenos (Scraper), Roman copy of the 1st century CE after a Greek bronze original by Lysippos ca. 330 BCE (Vatican Museums, Rome).

At home on land or water and in the air, birds are important to art and mythology. They often symbolize the flight of soul up to heaven. From Costa Rica, South America, 11th to 16th century CE. (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK)

Gold lends itself to the development of decorative techniques. Pre-Columbian pieces from South America were cast and decorated with twisted wire. From the Quimbaya civilization, Colombia, 11th to 16th century CE. (National Museum of Scotland...

The Apis bull protected the dead on their way to the underworld. This explains its use as a design on coffin ends. Coffin footboard from Egypt, 8th to 4th century BCE. (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK)

Indra is the deva (deity, divine, or heavenly) of thunderstorm and rain. He is the leader of the "Devas" and the lord of Svargaloka (heaven in Hinduism). From Java, 11th century CE. (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK)

This figure depicts a male; he holds an object with his right hand. A material of religious significance, the flat gold figures (or Tunjos), were votive offerings left in caves or lakes. They were rarely found inside tombs. Pre-Columbian...

This figure depicts a female; she wears an elaborate headdress and necklace and holds what appears to be a small tree branch with her right hand. A material of religious significance, the flat gold figures (or Tunjos), were votive offerings...

This painted stela shows the seated falcon-headed Ra-Horakhty. Ra-Horakhty combines the sun god Ra with Horus, the sky god, and is believed to coincide with the popularity of sun worship in ancient Egypt. From Thebes, Egypt, 8th to 4th century...