Object Notes

Men and women wore bazu bands, that is, bejeweled bands that decorated the upper arm a few inches below the shoulder. This example is enameled on the back. The front is embellished with precious stones, an indication of the wearer's wealth.

The Islamic world took special interest in the production of ceramics. Iran was an important region of production, and many different types were produced in a number of centers from the 9th century onward.

Enameled gold jewelry was popular from at least the 16th century onward in north India, and the best-known center of production is Jaipur in the modern state of Rajasthan—from which this whistle probably originates.

This turban ornament from north India was originally worn only by maharajas (royalty) and their families. Many Indian miniature paintings show rulers with this type of ornament decorating the front o

This Turkish bowl is an example of the kind of wares produced and subsidized by the Ottoman court, initially at Iznik in western Anatolia and later at a town known as Kutahya.

This Turkish dish is an example of the kind of wares produced and subsidized by the Ottoman court, initially at Iznik in western Anatolia and later at a town known as Kutahya.

A lama is the chief monk at a Tibetan monastery. He was considered sacred after his death. This bronze shows a lama wearing the special hat of the Karmapa, identifying him as the head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

This is a monumental sculpture from southern India, representing a warlike form of the Hindu god Shiva as Virabhadra ("distinguished hero"). In the story associated with this form of Shiva, the god is angered by his father-in-law, Daksha, who performed a great sacrifice and invite