Tessera

Anthropozoomorphic pectoral gold c. 100-700 CE Tolima culture Colombia #handmade #gold #pectoral #anthropozoomorphic #shaman #tolimaculture #colombia #ritual #religion #precolumbian #prehispanic #culture #afterlife #protection #fertility #rebirth #regeneration #spiritual #metropolitanmuseum #nyc

The Tolima peoples of Colombia's Magdalena Valley produced a distinctive type of gold object that had a high degree of consistency over a considerable period of time. The objects, figure pendants with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic references, were worn about the neck suspended from cords or thongs; they are almost flat, with sharp, symmetrical outlines. Their standard, identifiable forms verge on abstraction, but facial features such as the long, slender noses, beady eyes, and toothy mouths are depicted more realistically. Two basic configurations are known; the present example is of the "winged" body type. It has the squarish face with big, loopy ears, inverted L-shaped ornaments on top of the head, perhaps representing plumes, and the large bifurcated tail common on both types. Its midsection, however, below the splayed, fringed "arms," features elaborate openwork, perhaps depicting feathers or even a feathered costume. It has been suggested that the animal references of Tolima spread "wing" pendants—perhaps to bats, birds, and serpents—relate the figures to shamanism.
Metropolitan Museum, NYC

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc5u... #ilookedallovertown #circusclown #alienation #magneticfields #outsider #lgbt #c2004 #music #song #alternative #lovesong

I Looked All over Town

YouTube video by The Magnetic Fields - Topic

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Jaguar and Snake Hacha effigy stone c.550-950 CE Late Classic period Mayan culture Mexico #handmade #carved #stone #snake #jaguar #transformation #spiritual #religion #faith #belief #culture #mayanculture #lateclassic #mesoamerica #mexico #precolumbian #prehispanic #precolumbianart #sculpture #art

Fernand Léger with "Fernand Léger" metal wire 1930 Alexander Calder (1898-1976) USA photograph by Walter Limot (1934) #art #photography #modernart #legends #modernartist #fernandleger #alexandercalder #photograph #c1934 #walterlimot #metalwire #sculpture #c1930 #thegreatdepression #portrait #human

A dynamic handmade 835 silver dimensional modernist brooch/pin by Kordes & Lichtenfels of Pforzheim, Germany c. 1960s. Available... www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #835silver #germany #kordesandlichtenfels #pforzheim #modernistjewelry #wearableart #dimensionaldesign #arttowear #brooch

"Tempete" color lithograph c. 1970 Alexander Calder (1898-1976) USA #art #modernart #abstract #color #spirals #tempete #alexandercalder #c1970 #lithograph #handmade #mcm #americanart #usa

A sleek handmade sterling silver minimalist modernist geometric ring c. 1970s - measures 1" long at top, size 7 US! Available... www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #sterlingsilver #minimalist #modernist #ring #geometric #vintagemodern #wearableart #art #modernistjewelry #modernsilver #70s

Sparklehorse - It will never stop www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6ZP...

Sparklehorse - "It Will Never Stop"

YouTube video by ANTI- Records

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Female Figure earthenware, slip paint c. 300 BCE - 100 CE Chupicuaro culture Mexico #handmade #chupicuaroculture #mexico #earthenware #femalefigure #slippaint #geometric #bodypaint #design #culture #religion #spiritual #belief #afterlife #burialfigure #precolumbian #mesoamerica #prehispanic #art

Female Figure
earthenware, slip paint
c. 300 BCE - 100 CE
Chupicuaro culture
Mexico
The distinctive Chupícuaro style was first identified at the urban center of the same name located in southern Guanajuato. The site was covered by a reservoir in 1948 to supply water for Mexico City. During salvage and later excavations in the region, pottery vessels and figures in the Chupícuaro style were found at sites along the Lerma River and southward in the vicinity of Lake Cuitzeo in Michoacán. The Chupícuaro region had longstanding cultural and trade connections with the Valley of Mexico beginning as early as 200 BCE, indicated by similarities in ceramic figural art traditions from both regions. In addition, artistic similarities are found in objects from Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima, strongly intimating a strategic role for Chupícuaro as a pointof- transfer and unifying power linking Central and West Mexican peoples for many centuries. Burials of members of the Chupícuaro elite typically included a large number of female figures that conceptually link death with fertility as a central precept of the Mesoamerican ideology of death, transformation, and regeneration. Larger sculptures are hollow, but the majority are solid, modeled figures. Typically, the figures' basic features are defined by modeling; the ornately woven clothing and the striking body painting, a hallmark of Chupícuaro figures, are depicted in paint. On this example, the stepped design creates larger diamond-shaped and x-patterned motifs across the woman's body. It is likely these patterns carry symbolic significance. The figure's short pants (or possibly body painting) feature a combined vertical and horizontal patterning that suggests a highly developed weaving tradition, which sadly has not survived.

The Gay Curmudgeon @hermitsdaily.bsky.social · 2d ago

Human-Feline Dogu fired clay c. 2500-1500 BCE Jōmon period Japan #handmade #clay #dogū #felinehuman #transformation #shaman #ritual #magic #protection #cureillness #ancientart #art #sculpture #ancientJapan #jomonperiod #2500BCE #sympatheticmagic #transference #therianthropy #feline #cat #animistic

This is a Dogū, a clay figurine from Japan's Jōmon period (specifically the Early-Middle phase, roughly 2500–1500 BCE).
It is often described as a human-feline or human-feline hybrid figurine due to its cat-like face and distinctive feline-like ears.
The sculpture features a unique texture with round, fingertip-impressed indentations covering its shoulders and arms.
This piece was excavated in Kamikurokoma, Yamanashi Prefecture, and is held in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.
While modern viewers frequently interpret its square face, small pointed ears, and almond eyes as feline, its exact ritual meaning remains deeply tied to Jōmon animism, spiritual protection, and transformation rites.
Despite its feline appearance, mainstream archaeology notes that domestic cats did not exist in Japan during the prehistoric Jōmon period; they arrived later from the Asian continent during the Yayoi period. Rather than representing a domestic cat, the features are considered stylized representations of native wild animals (such as the wildcat, horned owl, or forest spirits) mixed with human anatomy.
The combination of human traits—such as the single elongated arm resting across the chest—and animalistic features suggests a theme of therianthropy (human-animal shape-shifting). It is widely theorized that shamans used these figures to connect with the spirits or powers of powerful forest creatures.
Like most dogū, this figure was found damaged. Jōmon communities practiced "sympathetic magic," where physical illnesses, injuries, or spiritual misfortunes were ritually transferred into the clay figurine, which was then broken or sacrificed to cure the human counterpart.
The texture on the shoulders and arms, created using classic Jōmon "cord-marked" (jōmon) techniques, may mimic ceremonial tattoos, animal hides, or protective armor. These figures likely acted as protective house guardians or village talismans against bad luck and disease.

Fabis Statue of Liberty (1986) by American pop artist Andy Warhol. In the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh. #andywarhol #andywarholmuseum #theandywarholmuseum #fabisstatueofliberty #opart #popart #popartist #yellow #liberty #ladyliberty #france #francesgift #giftoffrance #giftfromfrance

#handmade #pomeranianculture #poland #cremation #urn #clay #design #celestial #abstract #humanfaces #hatshapedlid #500BCE

Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 2w ago

During the early Iron Age, the Pomeranian culture in Poland developed distinctive clay vessels for cremated remains, influenced by southern European cultures such as the Etruscans. These urns are characterized by human faces and hat-shaped lids, and are frequently adorned...🧵1/2 📷️me #findsfriday

A clay vessek with a rounded body and a hat-shaped lid, featuring a stylized human face near the top. The face has two small, circular indentations for eyes and a faintly raised nose. The surface is gray and weathered, with incised geometric patterns wrapping around the midsection. Displayed against a dark backdrop in a museum setting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRVg... #davidbowie #sorrow

David Bowie - Sorrow

YouTube video by AuntieSoul34

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Dagger of Princess Ita daughter of Pharaoh Amenemhat gold, bronze, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amazonite c. 1900 BCE Egypt #handmade #dagger #gold #bronze #lapislazuli #carnelian #amazonite #PrincessIta #amenemhat #c1900BCE #ancientegypt #ancientart #craft #ancientweapons #ceremonial #ritual #art

Discovered in the untouched tomb of Princess Ita, daughter of Pharaoh Amenemhat Il, this exquisite dagger was found resting beside her among an extraordinary collection of jewelry over 3,900 years old.
Although it has the form of a weapon, it was likely made as a ceremonial object. Its bronze blade is fitted into a gold hilt inlaid with lapis lazuli, carnelian and amazonite, while the crescent-shaped pommel is carved from a single piece of lapis lazuli.
The dagger also reveals Egypt's international connections during the Middle Kingdom. Its blade follows a Phoenician design, while the decorative patterns on the handle resemble those used in Minoan Crete, suggesting it was either imported or crafted in Egypt by a foreian artisan.
Today, the Dagger of Princess Ita is preserved in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

#art #modernart #biomorphic #surrealist #dadamaino #italy #italianart #blackandwhite #c1960 #abstractart

Natscute@bluesky2020.bsky.social · 2w ago

Volume, 1960 - Dadamaino (1930-2004), artiste plasticienne italienne majeure, célèbre pour ses recherches spatiales et conceptuelles — série des Volumi, toiles monochromes perforées — ainsi que pour son rôle actif sein des mouvements d'art abstrait, optique et cinétique des années 1960. #Dadamaino

Elamite sculpture silver, gold c. 1500 BCE Elamite culture present day Iran An Elamite warrior attacking a Sumerian goddess, probably Ishtar. #art #ancientart #elamiteart #sculpture #silver #gold #conflict #war #warrior #propaganda #sumer #mesopotamia #ishtar #iran #iraq

This silver and gold composition is an Elamite masterpiece from southeastern Mesopotamia, dating to approximately 1500 BCE.
It is currently part of the Al Thani Collection.
The artifact is featured in the Animalia: Bestiary from The Al Thani Collection exhibition.
The Elamites were a rival civilization to the Mesopotamian confederation, and fought many wars over a nearly 2000 year period. I believe that this Elamite sculpture shows an Elamite warrior (king?) about to kill the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar. Sort of war-time propaganda circa 1500 BCE!
A fierce and long-lasting rivalry existed between Elam and the city-states and empires of Mesopotamia for more than two millennia. This relationship swung between intense warfare, plundering, and trade.
Around 2700 BCE, one of the earliest recorded conflicts in human history took place between the Sumerians and the Elamites.
Ishtar also known as Inanna, was a mythological deity woman with horns and wings.
Ishtar, Queen of the night also known as Inanna was the ancient Sumerian goddess of love, fertility, sexual desire, conflict, war, justice, and power.

A globular vintage 1960s Bovano copper enamel & wood Space Age Atomic modernist 'Galactic Cluster' box - measures 7.5" long! Available.. www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #copperenamel #galacticcluster #spaceage #atomic #modernistenamel #box #Bovano #mcm #design #moderndesign #craft #art

A globular vintage 1960s handmade copper enamel and solid wood Space Age Atomic modernist Galactic Cluster design box by Bovano of Cheshire Conn. An outstanding and very beautiful design! Fabricated entirely by hand in shades of copper, yellow, green, and dark brown enamel on copper in a design reminiscent of outer space Space Age galactic clusters at center, and framed by the solid wood setting for the enamel plaque at top! In any case, an especially beautiful design from the American mid century! (I've included a screenshot from the Bovano website with a brief history of their firm. They are still in business today continuing to produce their exquisite art in enamel!) Beautiful solid wood with interesting grain pattern! Measures 7-1/2" long by 4-3/8" wide by 1-5/8" high at edges. Lid is not hinged, and rests loosely on top of the wood section of the box as shown. Original sticker still in place inside as shown in photos. The enamel is pristine with no damage or loss whatsoever, and the wood is nearly like new with a couple of lighter spots that will likely disappear with a new coat of wood oil. Excellent vintage condition.

Floral wall sconce glass, metal c. 1970 Feders - Felipe Delfinger Mexico #handmade #glass #metal #floral #wallsconce #feders #felipedelfinger #mexico #cdmx #midcenturymexico #mexicanmodernism #modernism #moderndesign #modernglass #modernistglass #artglass #vidrioartistico #mcm #art #sculpture

Feders (also known as Vidrio Artístico de Cuernavaca) is a celebrated Mexican mid-century workshop founded by the German-origin Derflingher family, famous for pioneering striking "caged" or "imprisoned" brutalist glass art.
Established as a family workshop under the leadership of artisan designer Felipe (Pipe) Derflingher and his sister Luz (Tota) Derflingher.
Initially active in Mexico City during the 1960s, the primary workshop transitioned and settled as Vidrio Artístico de Cuernavaca SA in Cuernavaca (about 70 km south of Mexico City).
Since 2002, Felipe Derflingher's son, also named Felipe, has run the family enterprise, continuing the production of select classic heritage designs.

#davidbowie #driveinsaturday #AlladinSane #c1973

𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚢 𝙿𝚊𝚌𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚔 💀☕@andy-paciorek.bsky.social · 4d ago

#EarWorming 👂🪱 youtu.be/ih1HqDZ1Fys?...

#art #mexicanart #modernart #mexicanmodernism #alicerahon #ElJuglar #c1946

phoenixrising@mmcarthur.bsky.social · 6d ago

Alice Rahon (1904-87) : El Juglar (The Juggler), From the Orion's Ballet Series, 1946 white ink on cardboard 33 × 25.1 cm | 12.99 × 9.88 in Oscar Román Gallery, Mexico ©Alice Rahon State

#art #postmodernart #popart #roylichtenstein #ModernArt2 #c1996 #bendaydots

phoenixrising@mmcarthur.bsky.social · 6d ago

Roy Lichtenstein : Modern Art II, 1996 Screenprint in colors on Lanaquarelle watercolor paper. 48.375 × 38.312 in Copies splintered forms seen in Picasso's works. Combines high-modernist abstraction with signature comic-book style lines, flat colors, and geometric patterns.

Neolithic Mother Goddess Figure Dea Madre of Cuccuru s’Arrius stone, pigment c. 4000-3400 BCE Bonu Ighinu Culture Sardinia #handmade #carved #stone #pigment #DeaMadre #mothergoddess #cuccurusarrius #bonyighinu #culture #sardinia #ancientart #sculpture #religion #ritual #belief #afterlife #neolithic

Discovered in the necropolis of Cuccuru s’Arrius in Cabras, this delicate figurine of the Dea Madre (Mother Goddess) embodies the spiritual and ritual life of Neolithic Sardinia. The deceased were placed in a fetal position, holding the statuette in their right hand — a symbol of rebirth and return to the earth.
Nearby, archaeologists found bowls with red ochre and open shells, whose pigment traces covered both the skeleton and grave goods — a vivid sign of funerary ritual and belief in regeneration.

National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

A rare pair of Matisse Renoir California copper enamel biomorphic surrealist modernist earrings c. 1950s. Available... www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #matisserenoir #california #copperenamel #enamelart #biomorphism #surrealistjewelry #mcm #earrings #wearableart #art #craft #modernism

Anthropomorphic Pectoral gold-copper alloy c. 1000-1600 CE Tairona culture Colombia #handmade #gold #copper #alloy #anthropomorphic #pectoral #taironaculture #colombia #sierranevadadesantamarta #ritual #religion #culture #belief #precolumbian #prehispanicart #precolumbianjewelry #wearableart #art

In the north of Colombia, the powerful Tairona confederation produced very fine pectorals, which may have been worn during ceremonies and rituals. They depict richly attired men, probably caciques (chiefs) or shamans, wearing headdresses with stylised bird motifs and carrying staffs, which are interpreted as symbols of authority.
Louvre Museum, Paris

A 'crackling' Bovano copper enamel abstract modernist Forked Lightning design artwork c. 1960s - measures 9" diameter! Available. www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #bovano #copperenamel #enamelart #forkedlightning #design #art #abstract #modernistenamel #mcm #modernism #vintageenamelart

A 'crackling' vintage 1960s handmade copper enamel abstract modernist Forked Lightning design artwork by Bovano of Cheshire. Fabricated entirely by hand in bold high-contrast colors of enamel on copper in a design that reminds me of forked lightning on a dry desert night! In any case, an especially beautiful design from the American mid century! (I've included a screenshot from the Bovano website with a brief history of their firm. They are still in business today continuing to produce their exquisite art in enamel!) Measures a full 9" diameter by 1-3/8" high at rim. This is an artwork, and deserves to be displayed on a shelf, or hung on the wall! Marked at back as shown with the original sticker. Due to the glossy finish to the enamel, there are quite a bit of reflections in my photos which are no present in the actual artwork, and will disappear when displayed in a case or on the wall! Excellent vintage condition.