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Society


Personalities, Aristocracy, Politics and Portraits, Rulers, Emperors and Kings, Crowds and Demonstrations.



6 subcategories
Aristocracy

ARISTOCRACY

Family

FAMILY

Old Age

OLD AGE

Politicians

POLITICIANS

Poverty

POVERTY

Youth

YOUTH

625 photos
Ivory snuff bottle, Chinese, Qing dynasty, 19th century. This snuff bottle is in the shape of a foshou (Buddha's hand), a type of citrus fruit. The name sounds like the words fu ('happiness') and shou ('longevity'), and the fruit was often used to represent these good wishes. The citrus tree was often sent as a gift at Chinese New Year. The fruit was carved in jade or ivory and presented on special occasions. This Buddha's hand snuff bottle has seventeen 'fingers', and has carved hands on the lid. The Chinese have used ivory since the Shang dynasty (about 1500-1050 BC). The ivory used during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), when this snuff bottle was made, was generally from Africa. Huge amounts of the material were imported for carving. OA, 1945.10-17.345
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Ivory snuff bottle, Chinese, Qing dynasty, 19th century. This snuff bottle is in...

Buddha. Painted wood sculpture; Muromachi period, 16th century CE.
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Buddha. Painted wood sculpture; Muromachi period, 16th century CE.

Tsuba (round guard at the end of the grip of a sword) with a depiction of Buddha. Edo period, Japan; 18th century CE.
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Tsuba (round guard at the end of the grip of a sword) with a depiction of Buddha...

Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1536-1598), a Japanese feudal lord and samurai (Japanese warrior). Under the rule of Hideyoshi, Christian activity in Japan was greatly restricted.
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Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1536-1598), a Japanese feudal lord and samurai (Japanese war...

Ashikaga Takauji presiding at a council in the 14th century. Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) was the founder and first shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate. Woodblock print; Japan, 19th century.
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Ashikaga Takauji presiding at a council in the 14th century. Ashikaga Takauji (...

Archer firing at a target watched by the Daimyo and his attendants. Woodblock print; Japan, 19th century.
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Archer firing at a target watched by the Daimyo and his attendants. Woodblock pr...

The Spider Monster Creating Monsters in the Mansion of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Colour woodblock print; Japan, 1843. Height: 34.6 cm, Width: 72.7 cm. Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) was a master of the triptych format and a highly accomplished exponent of the musha-e or 'warrior print' genre. In this triptych he deals with a legend about Minamoto no Yorimitsu that was adopted by the Noh theatre. Yorimitsu is attacked by a spider monster when he is ill in bed, but slays it with the help of his four senior retainers. When the print was published, a rumour circulated that it was meant to satirize the backward-looking Tempo Reforms promoted by the government at the time. Neither the artist nor the publisher were punished, however.
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The Spider Monster Creating Monsters in the Mansion of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Co...

Nobleman accompanied by his squire (fragment from a scene with the life of Buddha). Wallpainting from Dun Huang. China; Tang dynasty, 7th century CE. Inv. EO 1153.
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Nobleman accompanied by his squire (fragment from a scene with the life of Buddh...

Buddha Sakyamuni as child with Confucius and Laozi. Chinese painting on silk; 18th century.
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Buddha Sakyamuni as child with Confucius and Laozi. Chinese painting on silk; 1...

Astrologers casting horoscopes during the celebrations for the birth of Timur (1336). A miniature painting from a manuscript of Akbarnama. India; 17th century. The Akbarnama, which literally means History of Akbar, is a biographical account of Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, written in Persian. It includes vivid and detailed descriptions of his life and time.
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Astrologers casting horoscopes during the celebrations for the birth of Timur (1...

The Bengal Levee, showing Lord Cornwallis (Governor General of Bengal) in a crowd of sycophants. Coloured etching after an original drawing made on the spot. London, 1792. Shelfmark: P1001
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The Bengal Levee, showing Lord Cornwallis (Governor General of Bengal) in a crow...

The Gods, led by Brahma, approach Vishnu to manifest on earth as Dasaratha's four sons in order to vanquish the evil demon Ravana. From Ramayana, Bala Kanda. India, Udaipur, 1712. Shelfmark: Add. 15295 Page Folio Number: f.38
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The Gods, led by Brahma, approach Vishnu to manifest on earth as Dasaratha's fou...