In Japan, May 5 is Children’s Day, known as Kodomo-no-hi, which celebrates the health and happiness of children. Though it was previously known as Boy’s Day, the date was made a national holiday celebrating all children in 1948. One of the most recognized traditions associated […]
Made of silk and cotton, textiles like this one are referred to as suzani, which comes from the Farsi word for needle. Though they are found across Central Asia, the textiles originated in Uzbekistan and are most commonly created by Uzbek women, as this one […]
This bowl is an example of Changsha Ware from the Tongguan Kilns near the city of Changsha in modern-day Hunan Province, China. Changsha Ware is a durable watertight type of pottery known as stoneware. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), Changsha Ware was produced in […]
This wooden door from the Ivory Coast was made by the Baule people in the mid-20th century. Known as anuan, such doors are carved with a variety of motifs as decorative embellishments for both public and private spaces. Traditional Baule carving embraces adding ornamental touches […]
In pre-colonial Papua New Guinea, animal teeth, like the dog teeth in this necklace, were used as an exchange medium. They were also used for aesthetic adornment, similar to gold or gems in other cultural contexts. Papuan jewelry often included a variety of animal and […]