Art & Culture

Monthly Archive: December Art

The ROM ‘Minoan’ Goddess: the Suspect Sisters (and brothers)

Posted: April 7, 2014 - 12:59 , by ROM
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Detail of the head of the ROM 'Minoan' Goddess

The ROM Goddess is just one of the ‘Minoan’ figurines in several museums sometimes thought to be fake.  These two installments of the ROM Minoan Goddess project introduce you to some of the suspected (although not definitively proven) fake figurines, and the genuine Minoan objects that may have inspired them.

Weapon Wednesday: The Nugent Marathon Corinthian Helmet

Posted: February 19, 2014 - 11:34 , by Robert Mason
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Through a warrior's eyes: detail of the Nugent Marathon helmet  (ROM no.926.19.3 - photo Kay Sunahara)

An account of an ancient Greek helmet excavated by George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent of Carlanstown, on the Plain of Marathon in 1834.

ROM ‘Minoan’ Goddess Hangout: battling with technology!

Posted: February 12, 2014 - 17:19 , by ROM
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Dr. Kenneth Lapatin, an expert in ancient ivory and gold statues, talks about the ROM's ‘Minoan’ goddess in a Google+ Hangout. His research and publications about the suspect Minoan ivory figurines prompted the ROM to reconsider the display of their own ‘icon’. 

Weapon Wednesday: The Indian Katar, a Necessary Dress Accessory

Posted: February 12, 2014 - 15:45 , by Robert Mason
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In South Asia during the 16th to early 20th centuries all fashionable young men when visiting their ladies would want to dress at their best. This would include one very necessary dress acessory: the katar. This uniquely South Asian dagger is thought to have developed in the very southern part of what is now India. In the 17th century the type was adopted across South Asia, and became a standard dress accessory in the Mughal courts.

 

Weapon Wednesday: The Horse

Posted: January 29, 2014 - 14:42 , by Robert Mason
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Frieze from the tomb of Zuo Biao, sandstone 110cm long, dated by inscription to 150 AD, Eastern Han dynasty, Mamaozhuang village, China, # 925.25.22.N

Behind the scenes in New World Archaeology with April Hawkins

Posted: January 8, 2014 - 13:29 , by ROM
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New World Archaeology Technician April Hawkins

April shows us what goes on behind the scenes in the New World Archaeology Department

The Evans Connection Part 2: The Minoans Created

Posted: December 31, 2013 - 16:34 , by ROM
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The continuation of the story of how the British archeologist, Sir Arthur Evans, made his own particular interpretation of the ancient Minoan civilization so popular.

The Evans Connection Part 1: The Minoans Discovered

Posted: December 30, 2013 - 20:39 , by ROM
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I pick up the story of the Ivory ‘Minoan’ Goddess to discuss why the ROM, or indeed anyone, believed that the figurine was genuine (or why she was created, if she is fake). 

Weapon Wednesday: The Long History of an Irish Bronze Age Sword

Posted: December 18, 2013 - 13:04 , by Robert Mason
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The Late Bronze Age sword and its 18th century grip.

The story of a sword made in Bronze Age Ireland.

Weapon Wednesday: The Burmese Dha

Posted: November 13, 2013 - 11:35 , by Robert Mason
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Burmese dha

Across South East and South Asia the traditional weapons often bear close affinities to the tools of the region...