Room One

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

Xiuhcoatl - Aztec Fire Serpent AD 1300-1521

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

Xiuhcoatl - the Fire Serpent - is represented here as a lightning bolt carved in basalt.

Diablo costumes - Andes

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

These costumes are used in the Diablada (devil dance). Andes indians believed in the Tio of the mines - literally and earth spirit who live in the mines and must be appeased to avert hardships. After the advent of the Catholic church in South America, the earth spirit became the Devil. By 1790, the Oruno Carnival became the hybrid of the two beliefs. Miners would dress up in costume and dance in the streets to honor the "Virgin of the mines."

Ravana, the ten-headed demon - South India

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

Ravana is the demon who kidnapped Sita in Hindu legend. Originally, this figure held a different weapon in each hand.

the Indian planet Mangala (Mars)

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

This scuplture is one of a series that represents the planets. Oddly enough, the region of Indian these are from, only the sun (Surya) and Jupiter (Brihaspati) have distinct characteristics. So it is only assumed that this is Mars, as it could be any of the other bodies.

Stoneware figure - Ming Dynasty - 16th Century

photo by Jeff O'Neal

"The belief in Hell entered China with Buddhism during the early 1rst millenium AD. From the late Tang dynasty, judgement scenes in the underworld were common. This figure of a judge's assistant is holding records of evil deeds under his left arm."

The Egyptian Section

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

Mayan doorway lintel, about AD 760

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

"The doorway lintel depicts Lord Bird jaguar, ruler of the classic maya city of Yaxchilan during the 8th century AD. he bares a spear and is wearing a battle costume including an elaborate headdress with a rain God mask. His consort, a lady of Ik lineage, also wears a warrior ornament consisting of a spotted jaguar pelt pulled through a perforated spondylus shell in her headdress.

The scene forms part of a carefully prescribed sequence of royal accession rituals, including blood-letting and warfare, used to legitimise the authority of Mayan rulers..."

Crowned Budda - East India - 11th-12th century

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

Durga killing the buffalo demon

Photo by jeff O'Neal

"Durga, the fierce for of the consort of Shiva, is the personification of the energies of all the gods. In her eight hands she carries their weapons in her assault on the demon Mahisha. here the demon's buffalo head has been struck from its body and lies on the ground as the goddess impales him with her trident. her lion vehicle or vahana gnaws on the knee of the victim."

Alter screen, Nepal 18th-19th Century

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

The alter screen epresents the actual temple. It is metal set with bone, shell, precious and semi-precious stones.

Cylinder seals - Babylonian

Photo by Jeff O'Neal

Clinder seals were used from about 3400 BC to 400 BC. They were used to mark property and later used to seal contracts written in clay.