The Shan people are a distinct ethnic group that today constitute Myanmar’s largest minority group. However, from the 13th until the 16th Century, they dominated most  More »

The Shan people are a distinct ethnic group that today constitute Myanmar’s largest minority group. However, from the 13th until the 16th Century, they dominated most of the country. They are largely Buddhist, and their language and customs are closely related to the Thai and Laotians, their neighbors to the south and east. In the 19th Century, long after their power had eroded, they were distributed among thirty petty states that paid tribute first to the Burman King, then to the British. This arrangement remained more or less in tact until 1922 when the Federated Shan States were joined together. In 1947, a unified Shan States was created under the Burmese Constitution. Although much of their autonomy has been relinquished to the central government, the Shan retain their unique cultural identity and ethnic heritage.The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. The decoration adorned upon this stucco head of Buddha reveals its sacred nature. His downward looking eyes, painted black and framed by thick black eyebrows, depict his serene state of being, further reinforced by his sweet smile. He also features a large pointed ushnisa, or bump, at the top of his spiky-haired head that symbolizes his divine enlightenment. The shape of this bump has been modeled after a typical Burmese stupa, the standard of religious architecture for Burmese Buddhists. Remnants of the original polychrome highlights survive intact, including the black eyes and eyebrows as well as the brown hair. The general appearance associated with the Buddha characterizes him partly as a noble human being and ideal ruler and partly as superhuman. The elegance and spirituality of the Buddha is well conceived in this work. - (X.0225)   « Less

Glass Bottle - JB.1372, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 9 th Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 2.16" (5.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Blown Glass, Medium:  More »

Glass Bottle - JB.1372, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 9 th Century AD to 10 th Century AD, Dimensions: 2.16" (5.5cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Blown Glass, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Turquoise Glazed Vase - ADC.184, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.91" (15.0cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Fritware.

Turquoise Glazed Vase - ADC.184, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 5.91" (15.0cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Fritware.   « Less

Glass Bottle - JB.1361, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 4.72" (12.0cm) high x 4.33" (11.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mould Blown Glass, Medium: Glass.

Glass Bottle - JB.1361, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 4.72" (12.0cm) high x 4.33" (11.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mould Blown Glass, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Moulded Jug - ADC.187, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 6.69 " (17.0cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.

Moulded Jug - ADC.187, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 6.69 " (17.0cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

The Shan people are a distinct ethnic group that today constitute Myanmar’s largest minority group. However, from the 13th until the 16th Century, they dominated most  More »

The Shan people are a distinct ethnic group that today constitute Myanmar’s largest minority group. However, from the 13th until the 16th Century, they dominated most of the country. They are largely Buddhist, and their language and customs are closely related to the Thai and Laotians, their neighbors to the south and east. In the 19th Century, long after their power had eroded, they were distributed among thirty petty states that paid tribute first to the Burman King, then to the British. This arrangement remained more or less in tact until 1922 when the Federated Shan States were joined together. In 1947, a unified Shan States was created under the Burmese Constitution. Although much of their autonomy has been relinquished to the central government, the Shan retain their unique cultural identity and ethnic heritage.The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. - (X.0573)   « Less

Mould - ADC.188, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.66" (9.3cm) high x 7.95 " (20.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.

Mould - ADC.188, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 3.66" (9.3cm) high x 7.95 " (20.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Underglaze Painted Bowl - ADC.135, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 14 th Century AD, Dimensions: 4.21 " (10.7cm) high x 12.28 " (31.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium:  More »

Underglaze Painted Bowl - ADC.135, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 14 th Century AD, Dimensions: 4.21 " (10.7cm) high x 12.28 " (31.2cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Fritware.   « Less

Glazed Bowl - ADC.181, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 3.74 " (9.5cm) high x 11.22" (28.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.

Glazed Bowl - ADC.181, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 3.74 " (9.5cm) high x 11.22" (28.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

This imposing wooden carving represents the head of Bhairava, one of the most important deities of Nepal. Venerated in both Hinduism and Buddhism, the god is valued for his  More »

This imposing wooden carving represents the head of Bhairava, one of the most important deities of Nepal. Venerated in both Hinduism and Buddhism, the god is valued for his fearsome appearance and ability to ward off evil. According to one tradition Bhairava is a manifestation of Shiva, created to punish Brahma during a dispute between the two deities. The mask has three bulging eyes inlaid with a silver-coloured metal. The ferocity of the expression is increased by the use of broad eyebrows, wide nose and thick moustache. The mouth is ajar with the teeth visible as was customary in representations of this god. The headdress is adorned with skulls and in the centre is the head of Shiva in his peaceful form. Bhairava is traditionally associated with snakes (nagas) and this work is no exception. The large coiled earrings are in fact serpents and these creatures are also intertwined beneath the neck. The entire sculpture is covered with red pigment, a ritual powder that reminds us that this object was the focus of worship for many years. Bhairava is still honoured today, particularly in Kathmandu where he is regarded as the guardian of the city. His image is paraded through the streets during the festival of Indra- Jahra. This magnificent sculpture is a manifestation of piety that is still very much alive. - (AM.0173)   « Less