28 October 2015
Meret Oppenheim, a Swiss Surrealist artist in the 1920s, suggested that no matter how beautiful and well crafted a work of art may be, the most important part is the meaning and ideas it reflects. This could describe the world of collecting, which is as much about meaning as it is aesthetics – especially when dealing with religious art. Some religions are so complex, they may seem nea...
23 October 2015
“You cannot!” she exclaimed. “Your grandfather’s spirit lives there. Have you forgotten he saved your life? When you were ten years old, you nearly drowned!”“I have not forgotten!” Yao retorted. “But worshiping the dead threatens the revolution.”Yao fell silent. He could not find anything to say in response; however, his sense of duty to...
09 October 2015
Anyone who has come face to face with a giant boar knows the danger and fear these animals can create. Armed only with a slingshot, the hunter knew he was no match for the boar. Suddenly, the animal charged forward, and as it darted toward him he raced up the tree to the branch where his original prey now beckoned him to safety. When he arrived the bird took off, its wings waving goodbye...
05 October 2015
Flags were first used by knights in medieval times to identify their allegiance, but earlier predecessors such as banners and cloth-draped staffs called vexilloids reach far back into the ancient world. First and foremost, these types of identifying markers were utilized as a practical method of differentiating friend from foe during battle; however, they also collectively represented nobl...
25 September 2015
As one of the most important officials of the royal court, the Okyeame holds a special form of court regalia when he speaks. Known simply as an linguist’s staff, it is a carved work of art with a detachable finial. Some might say it is the equivalent of a king’s scepter. While the development of the staff was directly influenced by European canes, the finial artwork at the top ...
17 September 2015
Take a trip through time and space. Beyond the red sandstone walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, lies the sprawling town of Taj Ganj. Its winding streets are narrow, a holdover from the past, but in the present day they are flanked by tourist shops, an indicator of the town’s unchanging appeal. As you walk along, vendors call out from beneath slanted awnings offering drinks, food ...
04 September 2015
The Flemish Countryside; 19th CenturyThe dawn mist took on a golden sheen as the sun broke over the horizon. A young woman picked her way along an animal trail. She walked leisurely, but with intention; her final destination known only to her. One hand lifted her skirt to keep it from getting soaked by the dew along the trail; the other hand held a woven basket slowly filling up with mor...
19 August 2015
A very high form of devotional painting called pichvai manifested itself among the multitude of arts that developed around Pushti Marg. In Hindi, 'pich' means 'back' and 'vai' means 'hanging.' Taken together these words provide an apt description of pichvais, which are large, decorative paintings hung behind tables or mats filled with offerings and statues of Krishna. All pichvai dep...
14 August 2015
In the flickering light of a dozen butter lamps, the sight of dancing, masked demons could scarcely be seen. Their shadows moved in an unnatural, eerie fashion. If your eyes adjusted, you could see open mouths grinning and laughing along with eyes bulging and gleaming in a menacing manner. Yet, none of what you saw was a cause for concern. As an audience member you sat unafraid, deep in the mou...
10 August 2015
The exact beginnings of the Indonesian kendi are unknown, though some scholars are certain structural influences came from the Indian kundika. Archaeological finds in Indonesia have uncovered water vessels dating as far back as the Neolithic period. The anthropomorphic designs and discovery at burial sites indicate their use and function as a ritual funerary object, most likely a tribute ...