Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Alabastron (Perfume Bottle) (Primary Title) attributed to, Syriskos Painter (Artist) Date: ca. 460 BC Culture: Greek (Attic) Category: Containers-Vessels Ceramics Medium: terracotta Collection: Ancient Art Dimensions: Overall: 6 × 2 1/8 in. (15.24 × 5.4 cm) Object Number: 78.145 The Amazons were a mythological tribe of fierce warrior women who fought the Greeks during the Trojan War. Greek artists often depicted Amazons in order to emphasize the difference between Greeks and non-Greeks. The clothing and weapons (such as the crescent-shaped shield) carried by this Amazon are characteristic of non-Greeks, while the palm tree on the back evokes an exotic locale. Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-8105926

Vaishnavi Dancing (Primary Title) Unknown (Artist) Date: 9th century Culture: Indian Category: Sculpture Medium: red sandstone Collection: South Asian Art Geography: Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, India Dimensions: Overall: 29 1/2 × 14 1/4 × 6 in. (74.93 × 36.2 × 15.24 cm) Object Number: 68.8.12 This dynamically posed figure is Vaishnavi, who-like Varahi at the far right-is one of the Matrikas (Mothers). Though their number varies, the Matrikas were most often shown in sets of seven, accompanied by Ganesha and Shiva. As the shakti (power) of the god Vishnu, Vaishnavi holds his attributes-flaming discus, conch shell, mace-and wears his miter-shaped crown. Vishnu's bird-man mount, Garuda, stands to her right, paired with a female attendant on her left. Shown in the act of dancing, she probably comes from a set of Matrikas who all danced to the beat of Shiva- shown as Lord of Music (Vinadhara) or Lord of Dance (Nataraja). Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-17733052

Vaishnavi Dancing (Primary Title) Unknown (Artist) Date: 9th century Culture: Indian Category: Sculpture Medium: red sandstone Collection: South Asian Art Geography: Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan, India Dimensions: Overall: 29 1/2 × 14 1/4 × 6 in. (74.93 × 36.2 × 15.24 cm) Object Number: 68.8.12 This dynamically posed figure is Vaishnavi, who-like Varahi at the far right-is one of the Matrikas (Mothers). Though their number varies, the Matrikas were most often shown in sets of seven, accompanied by Ganesha and Shiva. As the shakti (power) of the god Vishnu, Vaishnavi holds his attributes-flaming discus, conch shell, mace-and wears his miter-shaped crown. Vishnu's bird-man mount, Garuda, stands to her right, paired with a female attendant on her left. Shown in the act of dancing, she probably comes from a set of Matrikas who all danced to the beat of Shiva- shown as Lord of Music (Vinadhara) or Lord of Dance (Nataraja). Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-17733052

Butchering Scene (Slaughtered Sacrificial Ox) (Primary Title) Unknown (Artist) Date: 2475-2345 BC Culture: Egyptian Category: Sculpture Medium: limestone Collection: Ancient Art Dimensions: Overall: 14 1/4 × 22 in. (36.2 × 55.88 cm) Object Number: 66.33 The ritual sacrifice of cattle was important in Egyptian religion and was frequently depicted in tombs. This relief shows the slaughter of two animals. On the left, two men prepare to sacrifice an ox: one holds a knife while the other holds a jar to catch the blood. On the right, a man shoulders a haunch of meat from a butchered ox. Beef was a luxury for most Egyptians, so this relief most likely represents a ritual rather than a market scene. Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-15501910

Butchering Scene (Slaughtered Sacrificial Ox) (Primary Title) Unknown (Artist) Date: 2475-2345 BC Culture: Egyptian Category: Sculpture Medium: limestone Collection: Ancient Art Dimensions: Overall: 14 1/4 × 22 in. (36.2 × 55.88 cm) Object Number: 66.33 The ritual sacrifice of cattle was important in Egyptian religion and was frequently depicted in tombs. This relief shows the slaughter of two animals. On the left, two men prepare to sacrifice an ox: one holds a knife while the other holds a jar to catch the blood. On the right, a man shoulders a haunch of meat from a butchered ox. Beef was a luxury for most Egyptians, so this relief most likely represents a ritual rather than a market scene. Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-15501910