Images

A serpentine stone sculpture of Nandi, the sacred bull calf and vehicle of the Hindu god Shiva. The Deccan, India, 1550-1650 CE. (Victoria & Albert Museum, London)

A ceramic seated female figure from Veracruz. Mexico, 600-909 CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A seated Maya warrior. This stone and plaster figure is from the exterior of The Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza. Mexico, 1000-1100 CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A ceramic incense burner lid in the form of a skeletal canine figure, probably representing the Aztec night god Xolotl. When lit the burner would produce smoke through the mouth and eyes of the figure. Mexico, 1200-1400 CE. (St. Louis Art...

An Inca ceramic dish with a handle in the form of a bird. Peru, 1476-1534 CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A wooden figure possibly depicting the Aztec goddess of water Chalchihuitlicue. Mexico, 1350-1450 CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A lead-glazed ceramic Bactrian camel from the Tang Dynasty. China, 8th century CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A Maya stela (no. 8) from Naranjo documenting the reign of King Itzamnaaj K'awiil. Mid-8th century CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A unglazed ceramic horse from the Tang Dynasty. China, 8th century CE. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri)

A ceramic vessel in the form of a standing figure. Nazca, Peru, c. 100-300 CE. The figure has face paint as worn in Nazca harvest rituals. In his right hand he holds a jicama plant and in his left a cassava plant. (St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri...