14 December 2009
You are currently browsing the archives for the 1500s category.
23 November 2009
Abbey library at St. Gallen
In operation since the 8th century. One of the oldest libraries in the world, located in the UNESCO Heritage town of St. Gallen in Switzerland.
6 July 2009
Guru mask (Sumatra)
Guru mask
Batak people, Sumatra
12 inches, painted wood
A primitive looking piece with a cheery expression. Those sharp teeth are little slivers of bamboo. The Museum fur Voelkerkunde in Vienna, Austria, has a somewhat similar mask designated as a Guru from the Batak people of Northern Sumatra.
6 July 2009
Uba mask (Noh)
Uba mask
Japan
8 inches, painted wood, hair
Noh masks set the standard for carving perfection ever since the Shogun officially recognized the artform, clearly defining styles and features, back in 1647. Uba, a woman in a deranged state of mind, is actually a goddess in disguise in the famous play Isemonogatari.
Like any true Noh mask, this is not a molded piece, but is hand carved out wood. Some paint loss, but in good condition considering its age.
5 July 2009
Mercator Map 1595
MERCATOR ASIA MAP - “Asia ex magna orbis terre descriptionie Gerardi Mercatori Desumpta studio et industria G.M. Iumioiris”. A beautiful, hand-colored map first published in 1595, based on Gerhard Mercator’s world map of 1569. The copy for auction appears to have come from one of the Mercator/Hondius atlases (Latin edition), prior to 1633.
