Minkisi – Power Figures & Nail Fetishes from Central Africa
In the Congo lands of Central Africa, artful figures known as ‘fetishes’ in the West are called nkisi (pl. minkisi). They were believed to be receptacles for spirits,…
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Honored by the Jade Emperor – The Chinese Zodiac
The twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac have always been popular motifs in East Asian art, each holding unique symbolic meanings. The story of how the twelve were…
Full of Charm – Chinese Jade Toggles
Chinese toggles may look like miniature sculptures but they were also functional objects. With no pockets in traditional attires, toggles acted as small counterweights attached to the drawstrings…
A Different Kind of Flame – Indian Oil Lamps
In India, oil lamps have been used for thousands of years as ceremonial objects. No prayer or ritual could begin without lighting the oil lamp. The light of…
An Ancient Language – Christian Art in Ethiopia
Unlike most African nations, Christianity was not introduced to Ethiopia by European missionaries. The Ethiopian Kingdom had embraced the Orthodox Church in the 4th century. By the time…
Appreciating Buddhist Art: Part Three – Bodhisattvas
When viewing Buddhist artworks, one is bound to come across depictions of celestial beings called Bodhisattvas. They are enlightened beings or those on the path to enlightenment who…
Home is Where the Art Is – The Art of the Baga People
The Baga people of Guinea, West Africa are renowned for their sculptural artworks but among them, three stand out for their sheer size and artistry. The Bansonyi serpent…
The Art of Aroma – Niche Perfumes
The history of perfumes reaches back many thousands of years, used by men and women alike to enhance beauty and amplify presence. In the fragrance industry today, what…
In the Dead of Night – Japanese Ghost and Demon Prints
Japan is a land immersed in tales of ghosts and demons. During the Edo period, scary stories were exchanged first as tests of courage and then as a…
As Above So Below – Indian Mukhalingams
In Hinduism, one of the most important gods is Shiva, the destroyer, whose powers are used to cleanse the world of negativity. Lingams have been worshipped for thousands…