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This silver box with various writing utensils was made around 1560/1570 CE by Wenzel Jamnitzer, who was the best known German goldsmith of his era, and court goldsmith to a succession of Holy Roman Emperors. It is lavishly decorated with natural casts of small animals, shells and plants

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This silver box with various writing utensils was made around 1560/1570 CE by Wenzel Jamnitzer, who was the best known German goldsmith of his era, and court goldsmith to a succession of Holy Roman Emperors. It is lavishly decorated with natural casts of small animals, shells and plants

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An ornamental jug made around 1570 CE by the famous Nuremberg goldsmith Wenzel Jamnitzer. Mother-of-pearl spiral shells, mount silver-gilt, partly enamelled. Now housed at the Munich Residenz in Germany

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An ornamental jug made around 1570 CE by the famous Nuremberg goldsmith Wenzel Jamnitzer. Mother-of-pearl spiral shells, mount silver-gilt, partly enamelled. Now housed at the Munich Residenz in Germany

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A bow fibula found in Wittislingen, Germany, and made of silver, gold, niello, garnet and glass. With a length of almost 16 cm, it's one of the largest exemplars of this early medieval group of finds and one of the most richly decorated. 600-650 CE, Bavarian State Archaeological Collection

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A bow fibula found in Wittislingen, Germany, and made of silver, gold, niello, garnet and glass. With a length of almost 16 cm, it's one of the largest exemplars of this early medieval group of finds and one of the most richly decorated. 600-650 CE, Bavarian State Archaeological Collection

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Waffle-maker made of wrought iron, engraved with various motifs, such as the sun surrounded by natural and human figures, and portraits of emperors alternating with two-handled amphora, 16th-17th century

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Waffle-maker made of wrought iron, engraved with various motifs, such as the sun surrounded by natural and human figures, and portraits of emperors alternating with two-handled amphora, 16th-17th century

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The 3.62 m Fukū Kensaku Kannon statue, made in 729-749 CE, stands in the Lotus Hall of Tōdai-ji, Japan. Its silver crown is decorated with over 10,000 jades, crystals, turquoises and other precious stones, while its 2 central hands pray at the chest, holding a crystal bead

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The 3.62 m Fukū Kensaku Kannon statue, made in 729-749 CE, stands in the Lotus Hall of Tōdai-ji, Japan. Its silver crown is decorated with over 10,000 jades, crystals, turquoises and other precious stones, while its 2 central hands pray at the chest, holding a crystal bead

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The "Cape of Charlemagne" is a large red silk cloak woven with gold on silver threads and adorned with 4 eagles, griffons and roses. The cope was probably made in 1204 CE, and was in fact the coronation mantle of Frederick II, King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor

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The "Cape of Charlemagne" is a large red silk cloak woven with gold on silver threads and adorned with 4 eagles, griffons and roses. The cope was probably made in 1204 CE, and was in fact the coronation mantle of Frederick II, King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor

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Portrait of the German artist and calligrapher Thomas Schweicker , made by Jakob Hoffmann . Despite being born without arms or hands, he became known for his skills as a painter and calligrapher, using his feet to create his art

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Portrait of the German artist and calligrapher Thomas Schweicker , made by Jakob Hoffmann . Despite being born without arms or hands, he became known for his skills as a painter and calligrapher, using his feet to create his art

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China's oldest surviving city map is carved on a 3-meter-tall stone tablet. Known as the Map of Pingjiang, it was made in 1229 CE and covers the area within Suzhou's city walls with remarkable accuracy: 5 city gates, 359 bridges, 67 temples, and numerous streets, lanes, and canals

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China's oldest surviving city map is carved on a 3-meter-tall stone tablet. Known as the Map of Pingjiang, it was made in 1229 CE and covers the area within Suzhou's city walls with remarkable accuracy: 5 city gates, 359 bridges, 67 temples, and numerous streets, lanes, and canals

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1,700-Year-Old Writing Kit from Georgia , c.250-350 CE: this writing kit was found in an unmarked grave located in the foundations of a cathedral, where it lay buried next to the body of a 40-50 year old woman; it's decorated with images of the Greek muses

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1,700-Year-Old Writing Kit from Georgia , c.250-350 CE: this writing kit was found in an unmarked grave located in the foundations of a cathedral, where it lay buried next to the body of a 40-50 year old woman; it's decorated with images of the Greek muses

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Mycenaean Bull-Head Rhyton. Combining silver as primary body and gold decoration, it attests masterful metallurgical expertise. Dated to c. 1525 BC, it was found in Shaft Grave IV within Grave Circle A at Mycenae, the royal cemetery of Bronze Age Greece's most powerful civilization...

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Mycenaean Bull-Head Rhyton. Combining silver as primary body and gold decoration, it attests masterful metallurgical expertise. Dated to c. 1525 BC, it was found in Shaft Grave IV within Grave Circle A at Mycenae, the royal cemetery of Bronze Age Greece's most powerful civilization...

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This net is made of mostly knotted human hair with yucca fiber cordage and was used by a Hohokam community to corral and hunt jackrabbits. Discovered in 1962, it is from a cave in the Altar Valley, southwest of Tucson, and dates from 1250-1450 CE. Now housed at the Arizona State Museum

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This net is made of mostly knotted human hair with yucca fiber cordage and was used by a Hohokam community to corral and hunt jackrabbits. Discovered in 1962, it is from a cave in the Altar Valley, southwest of Tucson, and dates from 1250-1450 CE. Now housed at the Arizona State Museum

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Augustus of Prima Porta, 20 BC. At over 6ft high, this statue was a complex statement of the ideas and merits he wanted to convey. It depicts the emperor addressing his soldiers, wearing a cuirass and a cloak. Augustus was both the first Roman Emperor and the one who ruled longest...

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Augustus of Prima Porta, 20 BC. At over 6ft high, this statue was a complex statement of the ideas and merits he wanted to convey. It depicts the emperor addressing his soldiers, wearing a cuirass and a cloak. Augustus was both the first Roman Emperor and the one who ruled longest...

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A Mughal dagger made in c. 1610-1620 CE, probably from Agra in India, now part of the private collection of sheikh Al Thani. Nephrite jade hilt and scabbard set with rubies, emeralds and a pearl in kundan settings; watered steel blade with gold-overlaid decoration

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A Mughal dagger made in c. 1610-1620 CE, probably from Agra in India, now part of the private collection of sheikh Al Thani. Nephrite jade hilt and scabbard set with rubies, emeralds and a pearl in kundan settings; watered steel blade with gold-overlaid decoration

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The gold embroidered robe with dragons and phoenixes of the female general Qin Liangyu , who is best known for defending the Ming dynasty from attacks by the Manchu-led Later Jin dynasty in the 17th century

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The gold embroidered robe with dragons and phoenixes of the female general Qin Liangyu , who is best known for defending the Ming dynasty from attacks by the Manchu-led Later Jin dynasty in the 17th century

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The Book of Nobility and Perfection of Arms is an armorial written by António Godinho, clerk of the chamber of D. João III . It was initiated by the will of the previous king D. Manuel I, who devoted himself to the centralization and systematization of royal power in Portugal

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The Book of Nobility and Perfection of Arms is an armorial written by António Godinho, clerk of the chamber of D. João III . It was initiated by the will of the previous king D. Manuel I, who devoted himself to the centralization and systematization of royal power in Portugal

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A Hoard Of Roman Solidii Was Found Near A Small Roman Fort In Luxembourg, Containing 141 Solidii, All Minted Between 364-408AD. The Image Below Are Solidii Found Within This Hoard, Including Rarer Emperors Such As Eugenius, Pictured Third From Right With Beard.

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A Hoard Of Roman Solidii Was Found Near A Small Roman Fort In Luxembourg, Containing 141 Solidii, All Minted Between 364-408AD. The Image Below Are Solidii Found Within This Hoard, Including Rarer Emperors Such As Eugenius, Pictured Third From Right With Beard.

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A Roman knobbed blue glass beaker with a plain ground rim, bulging sides and a flat base: blown into a silver case with openwork designs. 50-100 CE, from Italy, now housed at the British Museum

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A Roman knobbed blue glass beaker with a plain ground rim, bulging sides and a flat base: blown into a silver case with openwork designs. 50-100 CE, from Italy, now housed at the British Museum

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2 blue glass cups made Ennion, who was one of the most prominent glassworkers of Ancient Rome, active from about 1 to 50 CE. He is famous for being the first known maker of decorated mold-blown glass, and for the exquisite quality of his work. Ennion branded his work by signing them

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2 blue glass cups made Ennion, who was one of the most prominent glassworkers of Ancient Rome, active from about 1 to 50 CE. He is famous for being the first known maker of decorated mold-blown glass, and for the exquisite quality of his work. Ennion branded his work by signing them

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The Swords of Arslantepe Mound dated to 3300 BCE. These are believed to be the first and oldest known swords. They’re made from an arsenic and copper alloy with some of the swords having a silver inlay

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The Swords of Arslantepe Mound dated to 3300 BCE. These are believed to be the first and oldest known swords. They’re made from an arsenic and copper alloy with some of the swords having a silver inlay

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