Roman and Byzantine Sculptures

Reliefs and sculptures from Roman and Byzantine eras, including military figures, deities, and intricate decorative elements, highlighting ancient artistry and cultural themes.

Roman relief of soldiers from Estepa, Seville, 1st cent. BC. Spain.

Roman relief of soldiers from Estepa, Seville, 1st cent. BC. Spain.

Bearded Hermes with a sacrificial ram , Antiquities, Sculpture, Gods, Sheep, Hermes Greek deity. Nicholas Catsimpoolas Collection

Fragment of a Roman bas-relief, Villa San Michele, previously owned by Axel Munthe, Anacapri, Capri, Campania, Italy.

Hearing stone with image, anonymous, c. 1400 - c. 1950 Highstone with an image of two man's heads. Southern Netherlands earthenware Highstone with an image of two man's heads. Southern Netherlands earthenware

Byzantine Art. Greece. Marble slab with lateral inscription and reliefs based in crosses, rosettes and eagles within a circle. Dated from latest 11th century and early 12th century. Byzantine Museum. Athens.

Fragment with Lions Rampant from a Choir Screen or Ambo. Italy, Campania, circa 1100. Sculpture. Marble

Wall decoration with a grapevine. Culture: Sasanian. Dimensions: 7.5 x 10.25 in. (19.05 x 26.04 cm). Date: ca. 6th century A.D..Stucco reliefs were commonly used to decorate the iwans and reception halls of elite Sasanian houses. Many examples were found in excavated houses in the Ctesiphon area including this relief from Ma'aridh IV consisting of a grapevine design. The use of molds to make stuccos allowed for the creation of large scale repetitive patterns such as floral and vegetal motifs. Vine patterns probably formed the borders around the edges of larger patterns.The city of Ctesiphon was located on the east bank of the Tigris River, 20 miles (32 km) south of modern Baghdad in Iraq. It flourished for more than 800 years as the capital of the Parthians and the Sasanians, the last two dynasties to rule the ancient Near East before the Islamic conquest in the seventh century. Systematic excavations in the Ctesiphon area were undertaken by an expedition in 1928-29 sponsored by the

XVIIIe dynastie: Apis V, mort sous Rathothis. Mariette, Auguste, 1821-1881. Prints. 1857. General Research Division. Serapeum (aqqrah, Egypt)

Frieze with Two Seated Buddhas. Culture: Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara). Dimensions: H. 9 in. (22.9 cm); W. 15 3/4 in. (40 cm). Date: 2nd-3rd century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Fireplace, the Dutch lion in the garden, Anonymous, 1607 Highstone, the Dutch lion in the garden, on either side a lion. Southern Netherlands earthenware Highstone, the Dutch lion in the garden, on either side a lion. Southern Netherlands earthenware

Coptic stela of the oikonomos Euprepios, sandstone, Armant, 6th century A.D., Gregorian Egyptian Museumn Musei Vaticani, State of the Vatican City, Roma, Lazio, Italia.

The Balawat Gates, three sets of gates from Balawat, an ancient Assyrian Empire, with embossed scenes showing scenes of warfare, the presentation of tribute and hunting of Lions and bulls.

Relief of an Acacia Tree Shading Water Jars with Drinking Cups ca. 2051-2030 B.C. Middle Kingdom In this picturesque image of water jars beneath an acacia tree, each jar for ready use topped by a drinking cup, there may be hidden allusions to beliefs about the afterlife. In the Old Kingdom, an institution called the acacia house” was maintained at the solar cult site of Heliopolis (near present day Cairo). To this institution belonged a group of women who served as mourners and ritual dancers at each pharaoh’s funeral. Queen Neferu may have been a member of Mentuhotep II’s acacia house.For other reliefs of Neferu, see 26.3.353* and 31.3.1.. Relief of an Acacia Tree Shading Water Jars with Drinking Cups. ca. 2051-2030 B.C.. Limestone, paint. Middle Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Neferu (TT 319, MMA 31), MMA excavations, 1923-25. Dynasty 11

SARCOFAGO PALEOCRISTIANO DE BRIVIESCA (QUINTANA BUREBA). DEPOSITO: MUSEO PROVINCIAL DE BURGOS.

Charles Von Urban, Pa German Stove Plate, c 1937 Pa. German Stove Plate

Hearing stone with a mascaron between two fruiting sines, anonymous, c. 1575 - c. 1600 Hearing stone with a mascaron between two fruiting sines, the whole surrounded by a fruit festival. Southern Netherlands (possibly) earthenware Hearing stone with a mascaron between two fruiting sines, the whole surrounded by a fruit festival. Southern Netherlands (possibly) earthenware

TITULATURA REAL, REY SAHURE. IMPERIO ANTIGUO V DINASTIA HACIA 2450 A.C. GRANITO. ALTURA 8. Location: NEUES MUSEUM. BERLIN. DEUTSCHLAND.

Spartan Greek, terra-cotta Votive tablet found at Angelona in Laconia, 6th Century BC

Fireplace with suzanna representation, which is led by the two elders before the judge. Fireplace with suzanna representation, which is led by the two elders before the judge. A piece is missing on the right.

Capital Fragment Early 12th Century Artist Unknown Steatite Trondheim Cathedral, Norway

A tile with a representation of a lion carrying three towers (pre coat of arms) Greater Poland Museum, Poznań

Funerary Cone of Meny and His Wife Meryre ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a man named Meny who was chief scribe of the god Amun. It also records the name of his wife, the house mistress Meryre. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 291.. Funerary Cone of Meny and His Wife Meryre Funerary Cone of Meny and His Wife Meryre ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a man named Meny who was chief scribe of the god Amun. It also records the name of his wife, the house mistress Meryre. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 291.. Funerary Cone of Meny and His Wife Meryre. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. Pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18

Tomb slab in the side aisle, St, Saint, Saint

Fireplace, half man, half fish. Fireplace, half male-half fish, with rondus in hand.

Relief from the Musée Napoléon III of a kneeling nymph, Louise Laffon, After Anonymous, 1857 - 1875 photomechanical print Paris paper. cardboard piece of sculpture, reproduction of a piece of sculpture. nymphs (in general); 'Ninfe in commune' (Ripa)

Relief from the temple of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II. Dimensions: H. 17 × W. 22 cm (6 11/16 × 8 11/16 in.). Dynasty: Dynasty 11. Reign: reign of Mentuhotep II, early. Date: ca. 2051-2030 B.C..Inside an oval-shaped protective cartouche, which was used only for royal names, is the name Mentuhotep. This is one of the names of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II, the pharaoh who re-unified Egypt at the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. The fragment is carved in raised relief. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

DAMA CON CAPA CON ESCLAVINA DEL FRISO. IBERICO ESCULTURA (DEPOSITO: MUSEO ARQUEOLOGICO NACIONAL).

Hearthstone, Luiks, from Luik, Liege Belgium, with wide frame, with male and female head, hearth fireplace part ceramics brick, baked hearth of the Liège type with wide frame with representation of male and female head separated from the side by flowering plant building history heating

Cylinder seal with cultic banquet scene ca. 9th-8th century B.C. Assyrian. Cylinder seal with cultic banquet scene 327228

Funerary stele dedicated to Hoios and Dikaios with relief depicting sun-god on horse, from Phrygia, Turkey

Fragment of a Votive Relief. Unknown

Pieter Rijckx, Pieter Strengh, Relief of the citizens' orphanage, lions with weapon of Rotterdam, school entrance from the boys playground, gable stone facade sculpture sculpture building material sandstone stone circa, sculpted Wapen van Rotterdam held by two lions On the coat of arms crown under the coat of arms cartouche surrounded by leaf motifs . The crown shows the remains of gold paint Rotterdam City Center Stadsdriehoek Goudsewagenstraat Gereformeerd Burgerweeshuis Gereformeerd Burger Orphanage war Second World War Goudsewagenstraat Rotterdam from rubble after the bombing of May 1940.

Cylinder seal with animals ca. 12th-9th century B.C. Elamite. Cylinder seal with animals 324960

Tile with Ascetics, Figures on Balconies, andDucks

Hearing stone with image, anonymous, c. 1400 - c. 1950 Hearing stone with a weapon in which two lions climbing a tree. On a paper: "This stone came from the foundation of the old lock on the Arkelschendijk". Southern Netherlands earthenware Hearing stone with a weapon in which two lions climbing a tree. On a paper: "This stone came from the foundation of the old lock on the Arkelschendijk". Southern Netherlands earthenware

Block with cartouche of Alexander the Great or his son Alexander IV of Macedon 332-323 B.C. Ptolemaic Period The preserved cartouche gives the name of Alexander, although omitting one of the usual signs. This should be Alexander the Great, who conquered Egypt in 332 BC and died in 323 BC, or just possibly his son by Roxanne Alexander IV of Macedon who ruled Egypt in absentia from 316-306 BC.To the left of the cartouche may be seen the remains of the king's first cartouche. Below the heads of two uraei crowned with disks may just be seen, possibly referring to two goddesses and part of an epithet of the king.. Block with cartouche of Alexander the Great or his son Alexander IV of Macedon 551617

ESTELA FUNERARIA DE BEGASTRI. DEPOSITO: MUSEO ARQUEOLOGICO DE CEHEGIN . MURCIA, ESPAÑA.

Stela of Pekysis 1st century B.C.-A.D. 4th century Roman Period Flanked by Anubis and Osiris are four figures identified by the Greek inscription: "Pekysis, son of Aruotes, and his brother Pachoumis; Tbaikis the elder and Tbaikis the younger." Pekysis is probably the individual holding a torch, an attribute unusual in Egyptian-style funerary stelae, although it does have chthonic or underworld associations in Greco-Roman mythology. Anubis carries the key that symbolizes his role as guardian of the tomb and the one having access to the underworld.. Stela of Pekysis. 1st century B.C.-A.D. 4th century. Limestone. Roman Period. From Egypt, Northern Upper Egypt, Abydos, Graeco-Roman Cemetery, Tomb 193, Garstang excavations 1907

Altar to the goddess Fortuna. Inscription: "To Fortuna. Valerius Lupus, assistant of the centurion, accomplished his vow of free will". Second half of the 2nd century AD. From the Roman camp of Ciadella, Sobrado dos Monxes (La Corua province, Galicia, Spain). Archaeological and History Museum (San Anton Castle). A Corua, Galicia, Spain.

Etruscan civilization. Relief from a funerray Cippus. 5th cent. BC. From Chiuse. Barraco Museum. Rome.

Molise Isernia Isernia S. Maria Assunta4. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Remains of Romanesque architecture and architectural sculpture incorporated in a modern restoration Antiquities: Fragments of architectural and other sculpture Object Notes: Much of the sculpture illustrated was subsequently transferred to the Museo Comunale. German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Abruzzo L'Aquila L'Aquila Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo2. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Tabernacle from S. Maria delle Grotte in Fossa with scenes of the Presentation at the Temple, the Flagellation, the Annunciation, and the Betrayal by Judas. Museo Nazionale housed in Castle: several exterior views (The Archeological Museum is one gallery (Sala IV) of the Museo). Remaining views of museum collection, including paintings, processional crosses, reliquaries, chalices, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts, and a number of eighth century Abruzzan Madonna sculptures. Works from the church Madonna del Soccorso also stored in Museo. Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo Roman inscriptions, sculpture and relief German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans

Bust of a Female Deity (Yakshi) 3rd-2nd century B.C. India. Bust of a Female Deity (Yakshi) 38734

Romanesque rectory gate, relief, St., Saint, Saint

Abruzzo, L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Italy, 20th century, photo, photography, Europe

Fragmento del friso del ábside de la Primera Catedral. Siglo VII. Arenisca con restos de policromía. Catedral de Faras, Sudán. Galería Faras. Museo Nacional. Varsovia. Polonia.

Door lintel with lion-griffins and vase with lotus leaf. Culture: Parthian. Dimensions: L. 172.1 cm. Date: ca. 2nd-early 3rd century A.D..Under Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.), the Greeks put an end to Achaemenid power, and an era of strong Greek influence in the ancient Near East began. Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis fell to the armies of Alexander in 331 B.C., and his power extended as far as India. But in 323 B.C., while still a young man, Alexander became ill and died in Babylon. Deprived of his leadership, the empire was split by a struggle for power among his successors, the Seleucid kings.The Parthian dynasty, originally from the north and east of Iran, established supremacy in the Near East in the second century B.C., after the disintegration of Alexander's empire and collapse of his successors. Ctesiphon, the capital, was situated on the bank of the Tigris River opposite the earlier Greek settlement of Seleucia. The border between the western empire of Rome and the Parthia

Ostracon depicting an animal fable or myth in the upper register and a princess () in the lower ca. 1295-1070 B.C. New Kingdom, Ramesside. Ostracon depicting an animal fable or myth in the upper register and a princess () in the lower. ca. 1295-1070 B.C.. Limestone, paint. New Kingdom, Ramesside. From Egypt. Dynasty 19-20

Cylinder seal ca. 18th century B.C. Babylonian. Cylinder seal. Babylonian. ca. 18th century B.C.. Hematite. Old Babylonian. Mesopotamia

Limestone inscribed block 5th century B.C. Cypriot There are two inscriptions; one is a text in three lines of Cypro-Syllabic and the other is a single word in Greek, meaning "of Themias." The two may not be contemporary, and the Greek may have been added when the block was reused.. Limestone inscribed block. Cypriot. 5th century B.C.. Limestone. Classical. Cesnola Inscriptions

Egypt. Jamb. Tomb of the high priest of the city of Heliopolis, Lower Egypt. Old Kingdom. The State Hermitage Museum. St. Petersburg. Russia.

Capital, Double late 13th-early 14th century French. Capital, Double. French. late 13th-early 14th century. Stone. Made in Pyrénées. Sculpture-Architectural

Grave Stele of a Seated Woman. Unknown about 380 B.C.

TABLILLA DE BARRO VISIGODA- LADRILLO ESTAMPILLADO REPRESENTANDO UN CANTARO ENTRE PAVONES. Location: MUSEO ARQUEOLOGICO-COLECCION, CORDOBA, SPAIN.

Mistress of the animals. 1st half 12th c. BC. End of the Bronze Age. Bronze Age. Relief. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. Louvre Museum. Proc: SYRIA. LATAKIA. Latakia. Minet el-Beida Necropolis.

Abruzzo L'Aquila Trasacco SS. Rufino e Cesidio35. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 The original monument was destroyed in 936, rebuilt, modified throughout the 16th century (with an addition to the nave in 1618), and restored in 1969. Exterior views include the bell tower and general building facades. Most views focus on the architectural sculpture of the Portale delle Donne and the Portale degli Uomini. Interior views in the Medieval core collection focus on a statue of St. Catherine in an aedicule (15th century); an ambo lecturn (pluteus) decorated with the four symbols of the Evangelists (c. 1267); a statue of the Virgin and Child under a sculpted baldachin on the entrance wall of the oratory (14th century) and the main altar composed of sarcophagus fragments of lions and peacocks in low-relief (8th-10th centuries). A baptismal font and possibly bas-reliefs (immured spolia) in the Oratory. Interior views in the Hutzel collection include: the altar statue of S. Cesidio, frescoes of the Annuncia

Fragment of an architectural molding. Morocco. Date: 1301-1400. Dimensions: 32.0 x 143.5 x 4.7 cm (12 5/8 x 56 1/8 x 1 7/8 in.). Wood with relief carving. Origin: Morocco. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Cylinder seal ca. early 2nd millennium B.C. Babylonian. Cylinder seal. Babylonian. ca. early 2nd millennium B.C.. Hematite. Old Babylonian. Mesopotamia

Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon. India, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura, circa 2nd century. Sculpture. Terracotta

Relief depicting pupil and teacher holding whip

Fair stone, divided into two niches, in each a climbing lion. Fair stone, divided into two niches, in each a climbing lion.

. These panels once formed part of a continuous decorative border (frieze) at the base of a temple. On both fragments human figures are shown walking through a hilly, wooded landscape. It is not known for certain which story they depict, although they areprobably scenes from an old Javanese poem. The two squares at upper left represent birds-eye views of walled enclosures.

Sculpture carved on wall in Bhaja caves in 2nd century B.C ., Lonavala, Maharashtra, India Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Ripoll Tülle Ripoll voussoir, 12th century, stone carving, Monastery of Santa María de Ripoll, MNAC, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Copyright: xZoonar.com/BartomeuxBalaguerxRotgerx 23146464

Facing brick with date 1648 in cartouche, facing brick foundation stone sculpture sculpture building component sandstone stone, sculpted Rectangular year in cartouche in bas-relief. 1648 Rotterdam City Triangle Schrijnwerkerssteeg Bombardement May 1940 Rotterdam.

Frieze from the Harpy Tomb, from the city of Xanthos, capital of ancient Lycia. Dated 470 BC.

Graffiti Sketch of Man (possibly armed withsword), ca. 113 B.C.-A.D.256, Plaster, 36 × 21 × 4.5 cm (14 3/16 × 8 1/4 × 1 3/4in.), Yale-French Excavations atDura-Europos, Excavated in Dura-Europos, Syria, Syrian,Dura-Europos, Parthian, Paintings

Tile China. Tile 51964

Plaque with Erotic Scene ca. 1st century B.C. India. Plaque with Erotic Scene. India. ca. 1st century B.C.. Terracotta. Shunga period. Sculpture

Tile from walls of Throne Room in the palace of Ramesses II ca. 1279-1213 B.C. New Kingdom, Ramesside This tile once decorated the palace of Ramesses II in Piramesse, which he made into one of the greatest royal cities of ancient Egypt. Thanks to the royal favor and its strategic location, Piramesse soon became an important international trade center and a cosmopolitan metropolis, boasting a harbor, a military base, and temples dedicated to various gods like Amun-Re-Harakhty-Atum, Seth, Astarte, etc. Poems were written in the city's praise, and its name, which translates as "The House of Ramesses, Beloved of Amun, Great of Victories" when fully written, came to us through the Old Testament as Raamses.’ The tiles bear the names of Seti I, Ramesses II and later Ramesside kings, who renovated the palace and changed its decoration through the reigns. New tiles were made, and the old tiles may be have been dismantled and buried together. Based on the tiles, we can still reconstruct quite a

Stele of gladiator from Secutores class armed with oblong shield and short sword

Account of the Treasurers of the goddess Athena and the other Gods. 397-396 BC and 376-375 BC. Relief depicting Erechtheus and the goddess Athena clasp hands. Acropolis Museum. Athens. Greece.

Winged beast lintel (fragment) crypt of St. Leonardo, Wawel Cathedral, Krakow

Cylinder seal with cultic scene ca. 7th century B.C. Assyrian. Cylinder seal with cultic scene 322558

Fragment of the Lintel from the Tomb of Iniuia and Iuy. Egyptian; Saqqara. Date: 1336 BC-1327 BC. Dimensions: 24.8 × 71.1 × 10.8 cm (9 3/4 × 28 × 2 1/8 in.). Limestone, pigment. Origin: Egypt. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: Ancient Egyptian.

Bajo relieve. Dinastías XIX-XX, 1307-1070 a.C.

Figurka kobiety na łożu. unknown, author

Hearthstone, from Antwerp Belgium, without frame, with winged deer in glass, fireplace stone fireplace component ceramics brick glaze, baked Hearth stone of the Antwerp type without frame showing two winged deer placed in two panes with laurel leaf motif and accompanied by the year 05 the half-panes at the top and bottom are filled with lily pattern. year 05 heating history Originating from bakery in Hekendorp.

Hearing stone with a performance by Samson and Delila, Anonymous, c. 1525 - c. 1575 Hearing stone with a representation of the sleeping Samson, which is stripped of its hair by Delila. Southern Netherlands earthenware Hearing stone with a representation of the sleeping Samson, which is stripped of its hair by Delila. Southern Netherlands earthenware

The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin is a stele that dates to the Akkadian Empire in approximately 2254-2218 B.C.E. This relief measured six feet in height and was carved into pink limestone, it depicts the King Naram-Sin of Akkad leading the Akkadian imperial army to victory over the mountain people, the Lullubi.

'Decorative Relief: An Armour between Two Unicorns'. Italy. Ferrara, Circa 1508. Dimensions: 27,0x101,0 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

Monumento funerario de Malla, Ajuntament de Malla.

Fireplace with a show from Suzanna. Fireplace with a show from Suzanna.

Abruzzo L'Aquila L'Aquila Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo5. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Tabernacle from S. Maria delle Grotte in Fossa with scenes of the Presentation at the Temple, the Flagellation, the Annunciation, and the Betrayal by Judas. Museo Nazionale housed in Castle: several exterior views (The Archeological Museum is one gallery (Sala IV) of the Museo). Remaining views of museum collection, including paintings, processional crosses, reliquaries, chalices, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts, and a number of eighth century Abruzzan Madonna sculptures. Works from the church Madonna del Soccorso also stored in Museo. Museo Nazionale d'Abruzzo Roman inscriptions, sculpture and relief German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans

Central America, Honduras, Copan (aka Xukpi in Maya), La Sepulturas. House of the Writer aka casa del Escribano. Detail of carving of blood letting with knife.

Facade stone in three parts, crowned shield with climbing lion with sword and arrows, on both sides anchors, facing brick sculpture sculpture building component sandstone stone, total ca 1226 kg sculpted Center section: at the top of crown below it climbing lion on shield sword in the right and beam arrows in the left claw . On both sides of the middle section two elongated pieces with anchors crossed underneath the middle section Top left on the shield an top right O at the bottom M (Admiralty Op de Maze) Admiralty line runway Low dike Rotterdam City center Cool heraldry Van Admiraliteits line track at the top Lagendijk Rotterdam.

Console with female head, console building element sandstone stone, sculpted Console with female head More skillfully made than 10460 that has the same dimensions and construction.

CAPITEL VISIGODO. Location: Ermita. REINA. Badajoz. SPAIN.

Cylinder seal ca. 15th-13th century B.C. Mitanni. Cylinder seal. Mitanni. ca. 15th-13th century B.C.. Hematite. Mitanni. Mesopotamia or Syria

Cylinder seal and modern impression: bull-man wrestling with lion; nude bearded hero wrestling with a water buffalo ca. 2250-2150 B.C. Akkadian Although engraved stones had been used as early as the seventh millennium B.C. to stamp impressions in clay, the invention in the fourth millennium B.C. of carved cylinders that could be rolled over clay allowed the development of more complex seal designs. These cylinder seals, first used in Mesopotamia, served as a mark of ownership or identification. Seals were either impressed on lumps of clay that were used to close jars, doors, and baskets, or they were rolled onto clay tablets that recorded information about commercial or legal transactions. The seals were often made of precious stones. Protective properties may have been ascribed to both the material itself and the carved designs. Seals are important to the study of ancient Near Eastern art because many examples survive from every period and can, therefore, help to define chronological

Finial of back of a Greek, 3rd century BC, marble bench (exedra) in the form of an Ionic pilaster-capital. An inscription on the return honours Apollonides

Mayan hieroglyphs on part of a door lintel, 7th century. Artist: Unknown

Cylinder seal and modern impression: offering bearer before winged deity; terminal: sphinxes, guilloche, lions ca. 1820-1730 B.C.. Cylinder seal and modern impression: offering bearer before winged deity; terminal: sphinxes, guilloche, lions. ca. 1820-1730 B.C.. Hematite. Old Syrian. Syria

Body Fragment of a Relief Pithos. Unknown

Hearing stone with image, anonymous, c. 1400 - c. 1950 Highstone. "Two portraits in windows". Southern Netherlands earthenware Highstone. "Two portraits in windows". Southern Netherlands earthenware

Votive Plaque. Egypt, probably modern, style of Ptolemaic Period (332 - 30 BCE). Sculpture. Limestone

Magical Figure ca. 1802-1550 B.C. Late Middle Kingdom-Second Intermediate Period These tablets of unfired clay with attached crude faces were found as a group by the Museum's excavators at Lisht South in loose surface sand west of the mastaba of Senwosretankh, a high official and possibly the architect of the pyramid complex of Senwosret I (ca. 1961-1917 B. C.), east of which he erected his own very elaborate mastaba tomb (see acc. nos. 33.1.2 and other pieces). The mud figures and little coffin (acc. no. 33.1.66) that had contained some of them must have been buried, however, considerably later than the early twelfth dynasty tomb close to which they were found. In fact, during the thirteenth and following dynasties people deposited a number of objects in the by then sacred area around a legendary ruler's pyramid and its dependant monuments, believing conceivably that potent magical powers could thus be released. These flat mud figures, for instance, are inscribed in now much-faded red

Furniture plaque carved in relief with window and sphinx ca. 8th-7th century B.C. Assyrian This curved ivory plaque was found in a storage room in Fort Shalmaneser, a royal building at Nimrud that was used to store booty and tribute collected by the Assyrians while on military campaign. It depicts a scene in two registers: above, a window with a three-part niched architectural frame and a balustrade; below, a falcon-headed winged sphinx is shown walking to the right. The registers are divided by a thick, plain border, and each small scene is framed on four sides with a thin raised strip. The sphinx wears a type of Egyptian headdress called a nemes headcloth, topped by a version of the Egyptian double crown. An apron decorated with a chevron pattern covers its chest. The scene at top is familiar from other ivory plaques, including several in the Metropolitans collection (57.80.12, 57.80.13, 59.107.18), which show female figures wearing elaborate jewelry looking out from windows with ba

Fireplace with image. Fireplace. "The Evangelist Johannes with the Arend".

BROCAL DE POZO - SIGLO IV - MARMOL. Location: MUSEO NACIONAL DE ARTE ROMANO. MERIDA. Badajoz. SPAIN.

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