Roman fresco depicting Mars (god of war) and Venus (goddess of love) – lovers who, according to ancient myths, were to hide their love before Volcano (god of fire), husband of Venus. The object was found in Herculaneum. [1200×921]April 15, 2025
The poppy motifs surrounding the body of this hookah bowl may reference its use for the smoking of opium. Cobalt was used to create the deep blue hue. Mughal India 17-18th century, Walters Art Museum [2307×2048]April 15, 2025
Cowrie Shell Girdle, Bracelets with the Name Amenemhat III, and Anklets of Princess Sithathoriunet. The girdle, whose shells have erotic associations, was worn around the hips. Each contains small pellets that would have made a soft sound when the woman walked or danced. 1887–1813 B.C. [2560×2031]April 15, 2025
Roman Lead water pipe belonging to “The most notable lady Valeria Messalina”, the third wife of the Roman Emperor Claudius. She was murdered by her husband after he found out about her extramarital affairs. 20-47 CE Wellcome [2560×1703]April 15, 2025
Pietas, by Jean Pénicaud II, refers to a 2nd century BC Roman legend in connection with a Pietas temple. Micon, who had been condemned to death, was visited daily in his cell by his daughter, Pero, who nursed him from her breast and so prevented him from dying of starvation. 1545 Walters [1565×1800]April 15, 2025
Souvenir leather pillow cover featuring a burnt image of the Cascade Gardens at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. [2620×2264]April 15, 2025
The Mulberry Dike Fish Ponds in Digang village, China, is a 2500-year-old circular agricultural model. Mulberry leaves on the embankments feed the silkworms, whose excrete and sloughs serve as food for the fish in the pond whilst the fish excrete fertilises the pond mud [600×1231]April 14, 2025
The Unfinished Northern Pyramid of Zawyet El Aryan, in Egypt, is a large shaft part of an unfinished pyramid that was probably built in the 26th century BCE. Discovered in 1842 and closed to researchers in 1964, today it is within a military restricted area and misused as a local dump [1163×800]April 14, 2025
