Photo Gallery

Art in the desert
Natural rock sculpture between Djanet and the cliffs south of Tassili.
Algeria - South Tassili - 1993

The Haida myth retold finds its most beautiful visual expression in this 2m- (6.6 feet) high sculpture in white cedar created by artist Bill Reid for the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. Dedication festivities for this masterpiece were held in 1980.

This photograph of a section of one of the four house posts that supported the roof beams of the eagle's nest house in Sitka shows the legendary young eagle who helped a girl to survive after an epidemic had killed her clan. The girl later became the ancestor of the Kaagwaantaan clan, which made the four 200-year-old house posts available to the Sitka National Historical Park on a long-term loan.

The back wall inside the house is painted in a design based on a Chilkat blanket. The two house posts carved with killer whales and, on the right, with cuttlefish, are copies of old, decayed posts. They were added in 1985 and dedicated by means of a potlatch

On another house post in the bear clan house in Wrangell, a large anthropomorphic bear appears to be protecting the figure of a human being, while a frog peers out of its mouth.

A wooden shaman figure with human hair, earrings made of animal teeth and a leather apron. The figure, which represents a shaman singing and shaking rattles, is assumed to have been carved by a Tlingit shaman more than 100 years ago. (30 cm, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

In 1972 Bill Reid created this silver killer whale on an argillite stand, copying his own 1970 masterpiece, which he had worked in gold for the traveling exhibit «The Legacy». The shape was created by means of the «lost-wax» method. (6 cm, NMM)
NMM = National Museum of Man, Ottawa

Offering for the Pachamama - cult object made of stone - farm with animals and agricultural crops - private collection Lima - 1977

Offering for the Pachamama - Father, mother and two children - Cult object made of stone - Bolivia - 1977

Offering for the Pachamama - Hand - Length 10 cm - Private collection Lima - 1977

A head in the ruins of Copán. This site, significant for Maya archaeology, is located in the mountainous west of Honduras, in the middle of the tropical forest, not far from the border with Guatemala. - 1977

A head with a round mouth in the ruins of Copán. This site, significant for Maya archaeology, is located in the mountainous west of Honduras, in the middle of the tropical forest, not far from the border with Guatemala. - 1977

The image shows a stone sculpture of the god Ganesha, located on the façade of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple in Sri Lanka. It is an important Buddhist temple that commemorates Buddha's historic visit to the island. It is considered one of the 16 most important shrines (Solosmasthana) and is known for its impressive architecture, murals and the annual Duruthu Perahera procession. – 1990

Kelaniya Temple is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka, as Buddhists believe that the Buddha sanctified the place during his third visit to the island. The stone carvings are an example of how stories from the Ramayana are linked to local Buddhist tradition. The depiction shows the coronation of Vibhishana as king of Lanka. His wife Sarama sits to his left. Lakshmana stands to his right, placing the crown on Vibhishana's head. Lakshmana is often depicted with a bow, which can also be seen here. – 1990

Stone sculpture of the Hindu god Ganesha, located on the exterior façade of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple in Sri Lanka. Ganesha is the deity of wisdom, good fortune and new beginnings, who removes obstacles and is depicted here sitting on his vahana (mount), the rat. Below the Ganesha niche are friezes depicting dwarf figures (ganas) and a row of elephants. - 1990

Artísticos trabajos de cantería en el Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara (también conocido como templo Kelaniya), uno de los lugares budistas más importantes de Sri Lanka. Las paredes exteriores del edificio principal (Viharage) están decoradas con tres frisos distintivos, cada uno con su propio significado simbólico: Friso superior: muestra hamsas (cisnes o gansos), que simbolizan la pureza y la discernimiento. Friso central: muestra ganas (enanos o figuras muragal), representados en diversas poses juguetonas y acrobáticas. Friso inferior: consiste en una procesión de elefantes (gajas), que encarnan la fuerza y la constancia. – 1990

In Udaipur, elephants are a familiar sight in the streets, often used for ceremonial purposes or tourism, and are also firmly embedded in the cityscape in the form of impressive stone sculptures. In the background, the approach to Jagdish Temple, an important Hindu temple guarded by two imposing stone elephants. The façade itself is adorned with detailed carvings of elephants, horsemen and dancers. – 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

An extraordinary marble carving from the Ranakpur Jain Temple (also known as the Chaumukha Temple) in Rajasthan, India. It depicts Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of the Jain religion. A characteristic feature of Parshvanatha is the canopy of snake heads above his head. This particular carving is often referred to as Nagdaman. The sculpture is famous for its complexity: it depicts Parshvanatha surrounded by a dense network of 1,008 intertwined snakes. The snakes’ tails are so artfully interwoven that it is almost impossible to find their beginning or end. The temple was built in the 15th century and is considered one of the most significant masterpieces of Jain architecture. It is best known for its 1,444 individually carved marble pillars, none of which are alike. – 1990

Statue of a Levantine merchant on the corner of Campo dei Mori and Fondamenta dei Mori. The three statues at Campo dei Mori form part of the Mastelli family coat of arms; the Mastellis were renowned merchants during Venice’s heyday. Naturally, a spice shop is a must! – 1989

This statue of a Moor (Moro) or Levantine merchant is one of the three figures in the Mastelli group on the Campo dei Mori and stands next to the house of the painter Tintoretto, opposite the Rio della Sensa. This leading master of Venetian Mannerism was born in Venice in 1512 and died there in 1594. – 1989