The Indus Valley civilization was rediscovered in 1920-21 when engraved seals were unearthed in the Punjab province of Pakistan at a site called Harappa, a name which is  More »

The Indus Valley civilization was rediscovered in 1920-21 when engraved seals were unearthed in the Punjab province of Pakistan at a site called Harappa, a name which is often used to describe the civilization as a whole. Subsequent excavations at Harappa revealed the size and complexity of this ancient city. Other sites were unearthed as well along the banks of the Indus River, including the equally large city of Mohenjodaro. Through archaeological and historical research, we can now say for certain that a highly developed urban civilization flourished in the Indian subcontinent over five thousand years ago. Though the Indus Valley script remains undeciphered, the numerous seals, statuary, and pottery discovered during excavations, not to mention the urban ruins, have enabled scholars to construct a reasonably plausible account of the Indus Valley civilization.Some kind of centralized state, and certainly fairly extensive town planning, is suggested by the layout of the great cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. The same kind of burnt brick appears to have been used in the construction of buildings in cities that were several hundred miles apart. The weights and measures also show a very considerable regularity, suggesting that these disparate cities spread out across a vast desert shared a common culture. The Indus Valley people domesticated animals, and harvested various crops, such as cotton, sesame, peas, barley, and cotton. Indus Valley seals have been excavated in far away cities such as Sumer, suggesting that a wealthy merchant class existed, engaged in extensive trading throughout the subcontinent and the Near East.Other than the archaeological ruins of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, these seals provide the most detailed clues about the character of the Indus Valley people. Bulls and elephants appear on these seals, but the horned bull, most scholars agree, should not be taken to be congruent with Nandi, for the horned bull appears in numerous Central Asian figures as well. The women portrayed on the seals are shown with elaborate coiffures, sporting heavy jewelry, suggesting that the Indus Valley people were an urbane people with cultivated tastes and a refined aesthetic sensibility. A few thousand seals have been discovered in Indus Valley cities, showing some 400 pictographs: too few in number for the language to have been ideographic, and too many for the language to have been phonetic. - (SF.161)   « Less

The Indus Valley civilization was rediscovered in 1920-21 when engraved seals were unearthed in the Punjab province of Pakistan at a site called Harappa, a name which is  More »

The Indus Valley civilization was rediscovered in 1920-21 when engraved seals were unearthed in the Punjab province of Pakistan at a site called Harappa, a name which is often used to describe the civilization as a whole. Subsequent excavations at Harappa revealed the size and complexity of this ancient city. Other sites were unearthed as well along the banks of the Indus River, including the equally large city of Mohenjodaro. Through archaeological and historical research, we can now say for certain that a highly developed urban civilization flourished in the Indian subcontinent over five thousand years ago. Though the Indus Valley script remains undeciphered, the numerous seals, statuary, and pottery discovered during excavations, not to mention the urban ruins, have enabled scholars to construct a reasonably plausible account of the Indus Valley civilization.Some kind of centralized state, and certainly fairly extensive town planning, is suggested by the layout of the great cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. The same kind of burnt brick appears to have been used in the construction of buildings in cities that were several hundred miles apart. The weights and measures also show a very considerable regularity, suggesting that these disparate cities spread out across a vast desert shared a common culture. The Indus Valley people domesticated animals, and harvested various crops, such as cotton, sesame, peas, barley, and cotton. Indus Valley seals have been excavated in far away cities such as Sumer, suggesting that a wealthy merchant class existed, engaged in extensive trading throughout the subcontinent and the Near East.Other than the archaeological ruins of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, these seals provide the most detailed clues about the character of the Indus Valley people. Bulls and elephants appear on these seals, but the horned bull, most scholars agree, should not be taken to be congruent with Nandi, for the horned bull appears in numerous Central Asian figures as well. The women portrayed on the seals are shown with elaborate coiffures, sporting heavy jewelry, suggesting that the Indus Valley people were an urbane people with cultivated tastes and a refined aesthetic sensibility. A few thousand seals have been discovered in Indus Valley cities, showing some 400 pictographs: too few in number for the language to have been ideographic, and too many for the language to have been phonetic. - (SF.162)   « Less

Origin: Pakistan/Western India Circa: 2800 BC to 2600 BC Dimensions: 6.30" (16.0cm) high Collection: Asian Art Style: Indus Valley Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Pakistan/Western India Circa: 2800 BC to 2600 BC Dimensions: 6.30" (16.0cm) high Collection: Asian Art Style: Indus Valley Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Pakistan/Western India Circa: 2000 BC to 1500 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.65" (6.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Indus Valley/Harappan Medium:  More »

Origin: Pakistan/Western India Circa: 2000 BC to 1500 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.65" (6.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Indus Valley/Harappan Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Pakistan/Western India Circa: 2000 BC to 1500 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Indus Valley/Harappan Medium:  More »

Origin: Pakistan/Western India Circa: 2000 BC to 1500 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Indus Valley/Harappan Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Ife, the capital and religious center of Southwest Nigeria, was one of the first Sub-Saharan cities to emerge at the end of the first millennium AD. A substantial number of  More »

Ife, the capital and religious center of Southwest Nigeria, was one of the first Sub-Saharan cities to emerge at the end of the first millennium AD. A substantial number of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic sculptures, made most frequently in terracotta although brass was also employed, were produced in the region between the 11th and the 15th centuries. This distinctive style is broadly referred to as “Ife”, even though some examples may come from other cities such as Owo. The brass objects especially are strikingly realistic, despite the fact they are almost certainly idealized portraits of dead kings, called Oni. The terracotta heads are more numerous and varied, no doubt a result of the comparative abundance and ease of working the material. Some of the faces, whether made of brass or terracotta, carry vertical parallel incisions, possibly representing scarification or body paint.This bronze bust is a perfect example of the Ife style. The molding of the facial structure is incredibly naturalistic. The curves of the flesh are well depicted, especially apparent around the figure’s eyes and brow. The figure wears a tight fitting cap with a large projecting, phallic-like crest. Such caps and ornaments occur frequently in Ife portraiture. This crown probably symbolizes the figure’s royal status. A series of holes around his cheeks and mouth may have been used to attach hair to in order to complete the effect of a beard and moustache. The celebrated sculptures of Ife are among the most accomplished works of African art. This contemporary replica celebrates the beauty of the Ife style whilesimultaneous revealing the technical mastery of a new generation of African sculptors. - (PF.6237b)Ife Style Bronze Head -PF.6237b Origin: Nigeria Circa: 20 th Century ADDimensions: 26" (66.0cm) high Collection: African Style: Ife Medium: Bronze   « Less

This large, standing figure of an Oba (king) is dressed in full ceremonial costume. He wears a long, lacy dress simulating coral with many necklaces draped around the chest  More »

This large, standing figure of an Oba (king) is dressed in full ceremonial costume. He wears a long, lacy dress simulating coral with many necklaces draped around the chest and hanging low to the level of the knees. In his right hand, he holds a ceremonial fan-shaped eben, which the chiefs raise up to show their allegiance to their ancestors. Around his neck is a high collar worn by kings and queen mothers. His crown is an elaborate arrangement of projections with a central “spoke” and two flanges on either side. Such sculptures as this once would have been placed on the Oba’s ancestral altar to glorify Benin’s royal past. - (PF.5363)Benin Style Bronze Sculpture of an Oba - PF.5363Origin: Southcentral Nigeria Circa: 20 th Century ADDimensions: 50" (127.0cm) high Collection: African Style: Benin Medium: Bronze   « Less

Around 2600 BCE, most sites in northern and central Baluchistan were abandoned, as a consequence of the expansion of the Indus Civilisation into their territory.  More »

Around 2600 BCE, most sites in northern and central Baluchistan were abandoned, as a consequence of the expansion of the Indus Civilisation into their territory. Nevertheless, southern Baluchistan continued to be inhabited by a people labelled "Kulli."This cultural complex is named after a site in Kolwa, discovered by Aurel Stein. Since then, several other sites became known from Makran to southern Kalat and Nindowari, to Nausharo in the Kachi plain, and to the eastern foot of the Kirthar Range in southwestern Sindh. Some motifs and vessel shapes found in southeastern Iran and on the Arabian Peninsula, are sometimes also linked to the Kulli and seen as indications for long-distance contacts. The lay-out of some sites resemble the plan of Harappan sites: rows of houses are built along lanes and streets, which are sometimes paved. Sometimes, stairs provide access to upper terraces. Building materials were large ashlars or boulders, and the houses are often preserved to a considerable height. Many of these sites are located in strategic positions, on top of mountains or terrace hills, overlooking the valleys and controlling the plains and passes . Other sites are small hamlets built in the open plain. Although they have no defenses, they are of a very compact appearance. Most sites are associated with dams.   « Less

Short cylindrical body, short neck with a wide rim, the sides painted with colourful concentric square patterns, in between vertical bands of horizontal strokes. This type of  More »

Short cylindrical body, short neck with a wide rim, the sides painted with colourful concentric square patterns, in between vertical bands of horizontal strokes. This type of fired clay vessel was mostly produced at the site of Merhgarh in Baluchistan. From here and other small centres, they were traded far and wide throughout Baluchistan, from the borders of the Indus Valley to south-eastern Iran. Examples of this pottery were also carried by merchants and nomads during their travels within the Indus Valley, and fragments have been found at the site of Harappa dating to 2800-2600 BCE and possibly even earlier. The motifs painted include both geometric and floral and stylised animals. Yet, this type of pottery was no more produced after the beginning of the mature Harappan period (i.e. 2600 BCE).For comparable examples see: J.F.Jarrige ed., Les Cites Oubliees de l'Indus: Archeologie du Pakistan, 1988: pp.105-107. - (LO.580)   « Less

Around 2600 BCE, most sites in northern and central Balochistan were abandoned, as a consequence of the expansion of the Indus Civilisation into their territory.  More »

Around 2600 BCE, most sites in northern and central Balochistan were abandoned, as a consequence of the expansion of the Indus Civilisation into their territory. Nevertheless, southern Baluchistan continued to be inhabited by a people labelled "Kulli."This cultural complex is named after a site in Kolwa which was discovered by Aurel Stein. Since then, several other sites became known from Makran to southern Kalat and Nindowari, to Nausharo in the Kachhi plain, and to the eastern foot of the Kirthar Range in southwestern Sindh. Some motifs and vessel shapes found in southeastern Iran and on the Arabian Peninsula, are sometimes also linked to the Kulli and seen as indications for long-distance contacts. The lay-out of some sites resemble the plan of Harappan sites: rows of houses are built along lanes and streets, which are sometimes paved. Sometimes, stairs provide access to upper terraces. Building materials were large ashlars or boulders, and the houses are often preserved to a considerable height. Many of these sites are located in strategic positions, on top of mountains or terrace hills, overlooking the valleys and controlling the plains and passes . Other sites are small hamlets built in the open plain. Although they have no defenses, they are of a very compact appearance. Most sites are associated with dams.   « Less