The items in this text are genuine works of art that depict the histories and civilizations of China, Japan, Africa, the Americas, and Islam. A diverse array of historical and contemporary objects, including photographs of fashion and clothing, furniture fittings, native paintings, glass, wood, and bronze carvings, will be assembled to form a showcase of excellent works of art.
Tomb features were unique to Chu culture tombs and were a common feature in South Central China in the 6th century period(Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.). They were placed at the entrances of tombs. The double-headed ones were placed outside tombs of the elite whereas the single-headed ones were placed outside tombs of those of low ranks. Their significance is not clearly defined, but they are thought to be part of the rituals performed by the shamanists during the tomb occupant's funeral or lifetime(Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.).
Amphora Vase with Flowers
Russell Tyson, 1967
Amphora Glaze with Flowers
Dated between 12th and 13th centuries
Stoneware glazed with molded decorations
Arts Institute Chicago
Description
They are containers that were used for transportation of liquid items. Their shape and size date back to the Neolithic era (Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.).
Japanese Objects of Art
Monju (Bodhisattva Manjusri) on Lion
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. William Fund
Monju (Bodhisattva Manjusri) on Lion
Kamakura Period, 12th to 14th centuries
Wood polychrome, glass, copper, and lacquer
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Description
It was part of the Tokai Monju images that were based on the Godaisan faith icons (Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.).
Monju is a meditation hall deity in some Zen temples and also found in kitchens and dining hall in Japan. He is one of the 13 Deities. He is portrayed as an eternal youth and is associated with Japanese Monk Gyoki (Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.).
Vajrabhairava Yamantaka
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund
Vajrabhairava Yamantaka
Sino Tibetan 15th century
Wood Polychrome
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Description
He is sometimes considered to be the lord of death or a death conqueror and belongs to the group of deities referred to as Anuttaryoga Tantra (Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.).
African Objects of Art
Pende People's Stool
Mr. and Mrs. David Heller's gift
Pende People's Stool
Dates back to the 14th century
Curved out of wood
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Description
The stool was carved out of wood and was used by the chiefs and the elites of the Pende communities (Melchardt, 2014).
Female figure
Gifted to Faith-Dorian and Martin Wright
Female figure
Dates to the 14th century
Made of wood, leather, and metal
Polais Dorotheum in Viena
Description
Was used by the Baule community in Ivory Coast amongst couples as a partner couple who were believed to exist in the world beyond and would offer assistance during conflict (Melchardt, 2014).
Similarities
There are similarities in the arts of works described above. The first similarity is that each art of work had its significance either to the artist who designed it or the community. For example, the Female Figure is an art of work that symbolized the love between couples and Monju on a lion signified eternal youth. The second similarity in the arts of works discussed in this paper is that all the arts of work were done before the 17th century. For example, the Female Figure was created in the 14th century; the Tomb Guardian dates back to the 6th century. The third similarity is that all the arts of works somehow found their way to museums or art centers. For example, Vajrabhairava Yamantaka is preserved in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Tomb Guardian is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Differences
The first difference is that the art of works discussed in the paper were created in different timelines. However, some arts were created in the same timelines, such as the Female Figure and the Pende's People Stool, which were both made in the 14th century. However, other arts of works, such as the Tomb Guardian, which was made in the 6th century and Vajrabhairava Yamantaka, which was created in the 15th century, have different timelines. The second difference is that the arts of work had different meanings. For example, the female figure symbolized the love between couples while Monju on a Lion symbolized youth. The third difference is that the arts of work were made from different materials. For example, Amphora Vase was made of stone while the Female Figure was made of leather, metal, and wood.
References
Melchardt, E. (2014). Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://www.dorotheum.com/en/auctions/current-auctions/kataloge/list-lots-detail/auktion/10892-tribal-art/lotID/38/lot/1777965-baule-ivory-coast-a-finely-manufactured-female-figure-of-a-spirit-spouse-called-blolo-bla.html
Metropolitan Museum of Art – Gallery Images. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://archive.org/details/metropolitanmuseumofart-gallery
