Images

Pair of sandals from Egypt, made of plaited reed and palm leaves or papyrus, with pointed toe, complete with ankle strap and toe strap now detached from each other.

The papyrus of Egypt is most closely associated with writing - in fact, the English word 'paper' comes from the word 'papyrus' - but the Egyptians found many uses for the plant other than a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus...

This bronze bell was found in China (600-400 BCE). Originally this bell would have belonged to a set of different sized bells, that would create different tones when struck. This image was taken at the National Museum...

This Seated Buddha was found in Gandhara, Pakistan (100-300 CE). This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling exhibition A History of the World in 100 (and 1) Objects.

This bust of Sophocles is made from marble and from Lazio, Italy (150 CE). Sophocles was a Greek playwright who wrote tragedies in the 5th century BCE. This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling...

This Jomon clay pot was found in Japan (5000 BCE). It was lacquered on the inside with gold in the 1800's when it became a water jar at Japanese tea gatherings. This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling...

An early 19th century CE print by Shin Yun-bok depicting a Korean female shaman, a mudang, performing a kut, a ritual to contact spirits. Shamans practised from prehistoric times in Korea.

Blue glazed steatite figure of Taweret from the Late Period of Ancient Egypt.

End of the handle of a glazed composition cosmetic spoon, decorated with a representation of Bes, from the New Kingdom of Egypt.

Upper part of a hollow blue glazed composition relief in the form of Bes, god of childbirth, fertility, sexuality, humor, and war, who served primarily as a protector god of pregnant women and children.