Premodern Worlds: A History Through Objects

Basin with Christian and Islamic motifs. Syria, 13th century.

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Brett Guessford · Brett Guessford: Basin with Christian and Islamic Motifs

Podcast by Brett Guessford.

Basin. Syria, probably Damascus, Ayyubid period, Reign of Sultan Najmal-Din Ayyb, 1247-1249. Brass inlaid with silver. 22.5 x 50 x 50 cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1955.10).

Necklace with Pendant of Aphrodite Anadyomene. Byzantine Empire, 6th century.

Detail image of pendant on the necklace.

Display image of Necklace with Pendant of Aphrodite Anadyomene. — Photo: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.

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Podcast by Jess East.

Necklace with Pendant of Aphrodite Anadyomene. Egypt, early 7 th century. Gold, lapis lazuli, and gemstones. 43.2 x 20.3 x 1.9 cm. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, DC (BA.1928.6).

Ivory Hunting Horn. Sierra Leone, 15th century.

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Podcast by Ishaan Rai.

Ivory Hunting Horn from Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone, late 15 th century. Ivory and metal. 64.2 x 16.4 x 9 cm. National Museum of African Art (2005-6-9).

Bosatasu. Japan, late 12th century.

Display photo of botatsu — Photo: Freer Gallery of Art.

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Podcast by Isaac Solly.

Bosatasu. Japan, late Heian period, late 12 th century. Wood with gilding. 98 x 75 x 50.8 cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1962.21a-c).

Persian Bowl. Iran, 13th century.

Display image of the Persian Bowl in the National Museum of Asian Art. — Photo: The Smithsonian Institute.

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Podcast by Liana Hardy.

Fritware bowl. Iran, 13thc. Fritware. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1967.24).

Aztec Skull Necklace. Mexico, 13th-16th century.

Image of Aztec Skull Necklace — Photo: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.

Image of Aztec skull necklace on display. — Photo: Gabriela Velasquez

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Podcast by Gabriela Velasquez.

Skull Necklace. Aztec, Late Postclassic 1200-1520. Spondylus shell. 2.5 cm x 39.4 cm. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington DC (PC.V.083).

Buddhist Altarpiece. China, 6th century.

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Podcast by Samantha Simonsen.

Buddhist altarpiece from China. China, Sui dynasty, 597. Bronze with gilding. 23.1 x 14.1cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1914.21a-h).

Sassetta’s Madonna of Humility. Italy, 15th century.

Display image of Sassetta's Madonna of Humility. Caption reads: National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Photo by Grace Buono.

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Podcast by Grace Buono.

Sassetta, Madonna of Humility. Italy, c.1435/1440. Tempera on poplar panel. 48.4 x 21.2 cm. National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, Samuel H. Kress Collection (1939.1.246).

Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as the Goddess Parvati. India, 10th century.

Display photo of statue — Photo: The Smithsonian Institute.

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Podcast by Alex Seitel.

Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as the Goddess Parvati. India, Tamil Nadu, Chola dynasty, Reign of Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi, 10 th century. Bronze. 107.3 x 33.4 x 25.7 cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1929.84).

Porcelain Canteen. China, 15th century.

Display photo of the canteen. — Photo: The Smithsonian Institute

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Podcast by Geena Panzitta.

Porcelain canteen. China, Ming dynasty, early 15 th century. Porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze. 46.9 x 41.8 x 21.3 cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1958.2).

Hanging with Depiction of Virgin and Child. Egypt, 6th century.

Display image of the Hanging with Depiction of Virgin and Child. — Photo: The Cleveland Museum of Art.

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Podcast by Jack Curtin.

Hanging (Icon) with Depiction of Virgin and Child. Egypt, 6th century. Tapestry weave, polychrome wood. 178.7 x 110.5 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund (1967.144).

Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha. China, 6th century.

Display image of the Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha.

Detail image of the Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha relief carving. — Photos: Nathan Barber

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Podcast by Nathan Barber.

Western Paradise of Buddha Amitabha. China, Northern Qi dynasty, 550-577. Limestone relief carving with traces of pigment. 159.3 x 334.5 cm. Freer Gallery of Art, Charles Lang Freer Endowment (F1921.2).