Archaeology · The East · Museums · Observations · Nature

A noble stump of Lebanese cedar from the 1st century BC, in excellent condition, which is, however, characteristic of the wood of this species

A noble stump of Lebanese cedar from the 1st century BC, in excellent condition, which is, however, characteristic of the wood of this species. It stands in a place of honour by the main entrance of the National Museum of Beirut. With this venerable relic I should like to draw

Archaeology · The East · Museums · Ethnography

Hippopotamus statuettes from Byblos in the Beirut Museum and their link to fertility

The hippopotamuses themselves are also represented in the Bronze Age galleries of the Beirut Museum. These, for example, found in the Temple of the Obelisks at Byblos, portray an animal the Egyptians detested for its gluttony and its merciless raids on their plantations, and the rather dismissive attitude is conveyed

Archaeology · The East · Museums · Observations

Lebanese Late Bronze Age cosmetic vessel in the form of a duck, carved from hippopotamus tooth

This duck lying on its back was made in the Late Bronze Age from a hippopotamus tooth, and it is hollow inside. It is a special vessel for cosmetics and a true luxury object, an example of rare Lebanese work in ivory. From beak to belly, the duck was filled

The East · Art · Museums · Society

Barge haulers beyond Russia and Georges Daoud Corm’s 1935 painting “Galershchiki”

Barge Haulers on the Nile. Yes, barge haulers existed not only in Russia: the poorest men towed boats upstream, straining at the harness, in France, Belgium, Egypt and other countries, and in some places this form of employment survived until the 1930s. As proof that the destitute in different corners

The East · Museums · Mores

Realistiscope, or stereoscope, from the collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut

A realistiscope from the collection of the Sursock Museum in Beirut. More often it is called a stereoscope. In its day this device, devised in the 1850s, was enormously popular. To use the curious contraption, one must press the velvet edges of the mask firmly to the face, holding it

Architecture · The East · Heritage

Rolex clock tower on Place de l’Etoile in Beirut, destroyed in the war and later rebuilt

The Rolex clock tower in central Beirut on Place de l’Etoile, at the beginning of the twentieth century, one of the tallest buildings in the city. This district was the seat of the French government of Lebanon. During the war the whole district, like much of the city, was

NB! · Archaeology · The East · Art · Museums

The Sidon Sarcophagi, One of the Chief Treasures of the Beirut Museums

The East · Art · Museums · Observations · Humour

English nightcaps of the Stuart era in the Eastern style

I don't know about you, but I can easily picture myself in one of these Oriental-style hats. Then again, I can picture myself quite well with a Jacquemus handbag too. In fact, these are English nightcaps dating from the reign of the Stuarts, an age inspired on

Faith · The East · Art · Ethnography

Saint Helena Discovers the True Cross of the Lord

Saint Helena Discovers the True Cross of the Lord. Jan van Eyck, 1424. Perhaps it is precisely this legend that lies behind the custom of knocking on wood three times, to ward off bad luck or to invite good. The aged mother of the Emperor Constantine, Helena, searched long in

Archaeology · Faith · The East · Art · Museums · New York

An alabaster figurine from a Parthian-period necropolis, probably depicting Ishtar, the Akkadian goddess of love, fertility and war

An alabaster figurine from a Parthian-period necropolis, probably depicting Ishtar, the Akkadian goddess of love, fertility and war. The central female deity of the Mesopotamian pantheon is shown as a beautiful girl with a high bust and a narrow waist, ruby eyes, a headdress in the form of a

NB! · The East · Art · Museums · Observations · Paris · Humour

To gauge the level of early medieval Japanese sculpture, simply compare these wooden guardians with, say, the French statue of Adam from the 12th century in the Musée de Cluny

NB! · The East · Art · Museums · Observations

Tutankhamun's child's chair, ebony, bronze, gold, ivory

Tutankhamun's child's chair, ebony, bronze, gold, ivory. The armrests are adorned with gold plates depicting antelopes and plants. How utterly charming