The head of a Cycladic idol, an Early Spedos type. The face is convex in profile when viewed from the front, with notably oval-shaped cheeks. The forehead is flattened horizontally at the crown and slopes downward to the pronounced long, vertical nose. The back of the head is smooth and vertical.

Fired ceramic, of ovoid from with tapering base and rounded lip, characteristic red slip coating with blackened rim and upper body.

Ancient art unearthed at Okvik sites in the Arctic include figures carved from walrus ivory in the form of stylized humans. Little is known about their creators, but most of such figurines have been found in high-status burials with hunting paraphernalia and other ritual objects.

One of the finest quality of miniature works is made through the casting of metal, a tradition developed in West Africa. A lot of objects made pf precious metal or copper alloys have been created in this area: figurative pendants, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic amulets, ornaments, etc. Although the shapes may vary, the common denominator of these pieces is their very small size, as well s the care for detail showing the great technical mastery of the area’s founders.

Carved brown-green jade “Bi”, a type of circular Chinese jade artifact which originated in the Neolithic period (3400 – 2250 B.C). Most are undecorated while disks from later periods have ornate surface carvings. The circular form represents heaven and was among the earliest religious symbols. The original function and significance of the bi disk is unknown because the Neolithic cultures have left no written history.

Numerous studies place the origins of these artisan founders in the inland Niger delta. Archaic Voltaic objects can be dated between the first third of the 18th century and the end of the 19th century.

This wooden implement is a ritual lime squeezer that depicts a standing human figure. The face is intricately carved with fine, angular features. The wood is highly polished, perhaps from the repeated turning required to extract lime juice. A ritual specialist used lime in several ceremonial contexts.

Long ago, a mysterious civilization left its mark on the Ob River in western Siberia: the Kulai culture, which developed between the 5th century BC and the 5th century AD.

The Kulai were known to be skilled with bronze and probably in the art of tattooing. Intertwined with their spirituality, both traditions combined to form remarkable works of art.

A stylized female figure wearing the typical Ammassalik topknot. The figure shows long incised tattoo lines on the shoulders and dorsal region.

Large shell carved in rough relief with three progressively larger registers of high-relief circles surrounded by two incised circles, themselves set in vertical registers incised with scrolls. There is a hole at the bottom to hold it around the neck by means of a tie. This type of work, typical of the Maya, was used as a trumpet during religious ceremonies. A rare piece in its corpus.