Photo Gallery

«Salmon»: a crest board with a salmon carved in relief with a superimposed fish mouth, by David Boxley of Metlakatla. (76 cm: 1985)

Relief on the Wolvendaal Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is an important historical landmark from the Dutch colonial period (built 1749-1757). It is located in the Pettah district and is one of the best-preserved Dutch Reformation buildings in the region, known for its architecture and surrounding neighbourhood. This is the coat of arms of the van Rhee family, which is found on one of the gravestones or epitaphs inside the church. It belongs to Thomas van Rhee, who was the Dutch governor of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1692 to 1697. – Photo 1990

This photograph shows the upper section of the steep staircase leading to the main entrance of the renowned Jagdish Temple in Udaipur. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe, who is worshipped here as Lord Jagannath. The temple is renowned for its intricate stone carvings and sculptures, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology as well as dancers and musicians. In the background of the picture, these detailed friezes above the entrance area are clearly visible. - 1990

This relief depicting a cargo boat with a distinctive amphora on board comes from the Mastaba of Idut (also known as the Tomb of Princess Idut) in Saqqara. The entrance area and the adjoining chambers of this tomb are world-famous for their dense, vivid depictions of life on the Nile. Directly at eye level, the reliefs there depict papyrus boats and wooden ships engaged in fishing and the transport of trade goods. The reliefs are among the best-preserved examples of Old Kingdom relief art. Many of the scenes still bear traces of their original colored paint. – 1984

Detail from the older part of Luxor Temple, 18th Dynasty. According to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, only the pharaoh was authorised to conduct religious services. This is why the temple reliefs always depict the king interacting with the gods, even though in reality he was represented by a large group of priests. In this section, Amenhotep III (1391–1353 BC), protected by the falcon Horus, offers sacrifices to the god Amun-Re (presumably on the right). These are placed on a tray held in the king’s hands and on a sacrificial table before him. They include drinks and food: water or wine, various types of bread, vegetables, chicken legs and plucked geese. The offering was presumably also enhanced with spices. On the sacrificial table, a slender libation vase and an elegant incense burner can also be seen, from which small flames rise, ready for the priestly rites that will take place in private. The floor is also strewn with flowers, which form part of the traditional offerings. – 1984

A 13th-century relief depicting a camel driver in Moorish attire, located on a wall of the Palazzo dei Cammello (or Palazzo dei Mastelli) in Venice. It is easy to imagine that the dromedary’s pack-sack is filled with spices. – 1989

Relief depicting the four cardinal directions (40 x 60 cm) from the Chiripa culture of the Taraco Peninsula on Lake Titicaca, Bolivia (c. 300 to 1 CE). As the much later Incas called their empire Tahuantinsuyu, or ‘Empire of the Four Parts of the World’, it may be surmised that their world view already had parallels in this culture. Museo Nacional de Arqueología, La Paz, Bolivia. - Book: Picture 79 - Bolivia - 1976