1 inch tall hunchbacks; gondolas rowed by grasshoppers; mosquitoes reading from a book: the astonishing 17th century painting “Arrival of the wife”, by Faustino Bocchi [1772×1052]May 5, 2025
This late Medieval oak door with cat hole was probably a back or interior door of a middle-class home. Cats were primarily kept as working mousers at a time when there was no refrigeration and spoiling grain could tempt mice. 1450-1500 France. On display at Walters Art Museum [1130×1800]May 5, 2025
Green stone jaguar mortar from the Correra culture, Ecuador 1500-300 BC. Works such as this one are thought to have served as ritual mortars for the preparation of hallucinogenic snuffs, to be inhaled by shamans to facilitate their interaction with the spirit realm [1799×1667]May 5, 2025
This vessel, like several other known examples from the Cupisnique culture of Peru, shows an acrobat or contortionist, in the midst of a backbend. In the acrobat’s hands are 2 objects, one perhaps a rattle or noisemaker 1200-500 BCE [2714×1800]May 5, 2025
A celadon porcelain vase that imitates the shape of ancient Chinese jade congs. The vase was fired in the Southern Song Dynasty Hangzhou official kiln in the 12th century CE. Now housed at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan [1242×2276]May 5, 2025
A Navajo eyedazzler blanket/rug made in 1885 CE. Dyed wool and cotton. Now housed at the Denver Art Museum in Colorado [2156×2712]May 5, 2025
Slave collars of an iron age chain gang. The 6.6 kg iron chain connects 5 neck shackles used to bind slaves or criminals. When it was discovered in 1943 during construction of an airfield on the Welsh coast, the chain was still so strong the workers used it to tow vehicles. 100 BCE-60 CE [3773×2692]May 5, 2025
