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One of many late Sasanian bowls used in magical ceremonies to protect individuals and their relatives or possessions from evil spirits. Spells were writtin in a variety of scripts and occasionally the bound spirit or magicians were also depicted inside the vessel. The abstract figure in the centre of this bowl may be a demon, the inscription is in Aramaic. ANE 91725
#03070144

One of many late Sasanian bowls used in magical ceremonies to protect individual...

Ceramic vessel in the form of a figure, Amlash, from the Marlik region, north-western Iran, early 1st millennium BCE. This figure comes from the so-called Amlash culture of Gilan province in north-western Iran. This was one of the most distinctive Iranian cultures of the late second and early first millennia BCE. Similar vessels were excavated at Marlik Tepe, one of the richest cemeteries of the region and where fifty-three intact tombs were excavated in 1961-62. The most spectacular group of vessels from Marlik consists of a series of anthropomorphic shapes. These took the form of squatting, bear-like figures or standing nude females and males. Some of these closely resemble smaller cast-bronze statuettes also found at this site. In addition more naturallistically modelled zoomorphic vessels in the form of hump-backed bulls, stags, rams, horses or donkeys and even a leopard were excavated. The ceramic figures are heavily stylized with exaggerated physical features, such as prominent buttocks and swollen legs, perhaps designed so they could stand upright. Their pinched ears were pierced for metal earrings. It was hollow and is therefore presumed to have been used as a form of container. ANE, 136794
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Ceramic vessel in the form of a figure, Amlash, from the Marlik region, north-we...

Hump-backed pottery bull, Amlash culture, from the Marlik region, north-west Iran, early 1st millennium BC. This vessel belongs to the Amlash culture of Gilan province in north-west Iran, one of the most distinctive Iranian cultures of the late second and early first millennia BC. This type of vessel, in the form of a hump-backed bull may have had a ceremonial function, although they were certainly also placed in graves. Examples were excavated at Marlik Tepe, one of the richest cemeteries of the region. Here fifty-three intact tombs were excavated in 1961-62. Thirty-three burnished zoomorphic vessels (that is, in animal form) were excavated, and these were in the form of not only of hump-backed bulls but also stags, rams, horses or donkeys and even a leopard. These containers were clearly intended as pourers, but their exact function remains uncertain. ANE, 132973
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Hump-backed pottery bull, Amlash culture, from the Marlik region, north-west Ira...

Gold jug from the Oxus treasure, Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC. Fine gold jug with a lion-headed handle and ridged decoration. The jug is part of the Oxus treasure, the most important collection of silver and gold to have survived from the Achaemenid period. The treasure, probably from a temple on the banks of the Oxus River, Takht-i Kuwad, Tadjikistan, contained objects such as this jug which were dedicated to the temple. Another possibilty is that the Oxus treasure should be viewed as a hoard of currency. There was a long tradition in the ancient Middle East of using precious metal, gold and particularly silver, for purposes of exchange. Goods - even when finely wrought - were valued according to the weight of metal. Metal continued to be used for currency even after the introduction of coinage. ANE, 123918
#03070151

Gold jug from the Oxus treasure, Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC. Fine go...

High-spouted brass ewer, Herat, Afghanistan, c1180-c1200. The inlaid decoration on this ewer features medallions containing images of the planets with the appropriate sign of the zodiac and benedictory inscriptions in a variety of different ornamental scripts. This is one of a group of high spouted ewers made in Herat in the late twelfth and early thirteenth century. They contained water for washing, and were highly esteemed locally and abroad. OA, 1848.8-5.2
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High-spouted brass ewer, Herat, Afghanistan, c1180-c1200. The inlaid decoration...

Red pottery cup "tou" with undulating ornament painted in black,excavated 1958 in Lan-chou,Kansu,China. H:16,4 cm
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Red pottery cup "tou" with undulating ornament painted in black,excavated 1958...

Green ware vase, Chinese, 1127-1279. This vase from Zhejiang province in Southern China dates from the Southern Song dynasty. It is in the shape of a cong, a carved ritual jade found in many neolithic tombs from around 2500 BCE. The many kilns around Longquan city began production in the 10th CE and continued into the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) OA 1947.7-12.126
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Green ware vase, Chinese, 1127-1279. This vase from Zhejiang province in Souther...

Kundika (water sprinklers),Korean, Koryo dynasty, 12th ct. Watersprinklers were used in Buddhist rituals, to hold the "water of Life". Their form derived from similar Chinese vessels; they were mostly used during the Koryo dynasty, when Buddhism was established as the royal religion. OA 1974.10-31.1
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Kundika (water sprinklers),Korean, Koryo dynasty, 12th ct. Watersprinklers were...

Bronze dui inlaid with gold and silver, Eastern Zhou period, 4th-3rd century BC. This dui, a food vessel first used in the Eastern Zhou, is inlaid with silver. The triangular motif probably derived from a textile pattern. The circles may have been inset with glass. Bronze vessels of the Eastern Zhou period differ from those of earlier times. Cast bronze vessels of the Shang and the Western Zhou dynasty were made for ritual purposes and sacrifices to clan ancestors. By the Eastern Zhou dynasty, power derived from military might, and family loyalty was less important. Warlords commanded the loyalty of huge armies, whose success in war was believed to be proof of their righteousness. Display, increasingly secular, was proof of the lords' achievements. In these circumstances, weapons, chariots and furnishings became ever more important, and bronzes had to compete with this colourful court life. OA, 1958.10-15.1(15)
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Bronze dui inlaid with gold and silver, Eastern Zhou period, 4th-3rd century BC....

Guan ware vase, Southern Song dynasty, 12th-13th century. Guan pieces are intentionally given a noticeable crackle, as on this vase. The glaze is applied several times, so that the glaze is actually thicker than the stoneware body. Guan ware is one of the 'five great wares' of the Song. The others are Ru, Ding, Jun and Ge wares. In 1127, the Song court at Kaifeng was overrun by northern invaders, who established the Jin dynasty. The Song court fled south to Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, where the emperor established a new palace as a temporary measure. In fact, the Southern Song capital remained at Hangzhou until the dynasty was finally overthrown by the Mongols in 1279. The new imperial household at Hangzhou required a supply of ceramic vessels, and new kilns were established. The new wares produced were called Guan, or 'Official'. OA, 1936.10-12.148
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Guan ware vase, Southern Song dynasty, 12th-13th century. Guan pieces are intent...

Cloisonné jar, Ming dynasty, Xuande period, c1426-c1435. Depicting a dragon among clouds. The inscription on the neck of the jar shows that it was made under the auspices of the Yuyongjian, a division of the Imperial Household. The Chinese perfected the cloisonné enamel technique in the fifteenth century. By the time this jar was made it was considered appropriate for imperial use, and many superb pieces were made for palaces and temples. Some of the vessel forms were borrowed from ancient Chinese bronzes. Other shapes, and some of the motifs, resemble contemporary porcelains. OA, 1957.5-1.1
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Cloisonné jar, Ming dynasty, Xuande period, c1426-c1435. Depicting a dragon amon...

Porcelain bowl with image of Xiwangmu, Chinese, Ming dynasty, c1401-c1424. The scene on this bowl of the Yongle period shows Xiwangmu as she is usually portrayed in paintings, a beautiful woman in her garden, with her two maids, one holding a large fan, the other with a basket of magic peaches. Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, is an important figure in Daoism. She lived in the Kunlun Mountains, in an enchanted palace with beautiful pagodas and a magical garden. Among her plants was the famous tree with peaches of longevity. Though they ripen only once in 3000 years, they bestow immortality. The underglaze blue painting is clear and beautifully detailed. The inside of the bowl is completely undecorated, so the pure, translucent porcelain characteristic of the Yongle period is shown to great effect. Most Yongle wares were plain white. OA, 1968.4-22.30
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Porcelain bowl with image of Xiwangmu, Chinese, Ming dynasty, c1401-c1424. The s...