A HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 OBJECTS
SUTTON HOO HELMET DOUBLE-HEADED SERPENT HAWAIIAN FEATHER HELMET HOKUSAI’S “THE GREAT WAVE”
SUTTON HOO HELMET
LOCATION: UK - England - East - Suffolk CULTURE: Saxons and Vikings PERIOD: 7th century AD THEME: Death - Leaders - War SIZE: H: 31.8cm W: 21.5cm COLOUR: MATERIAL: Metal - Gold
Sutton Hoo in relation to Gipeswic (Ipswich) and the Wicklaw
The ship under excavation in the 1930s
The Sutton Hoo Helmet is one of the most important Anglo Saxon finds of all time. It was buried in the grave of a warrior chieftain. Alongside it were a vast array of weaponry and a 27-metre-long ship. Although the helmet belonged to a powerful war-leader we cannot be certain who was buried at Sutton Hoo. When it was found it conjured up images of the warrior culture of the great Anglo Saxon epic poem, Beowulf that was written at a similar period.
The many pieces of the helmet before it was reconstructed.
DOUBLE-HEADED SERPENT
Location: Central and South America Mexico Culture: Aztec, Maya and Central America Period: 1400 - 1600 Theme: Trade - Art Religion Size; Small H: 20.5cm W: 43.3cmD: 6.5cm Colour: Material: Shell - Wood Gemstones
This serpent mosaic was created in Aztec Mexico. It may have been worn or carried during religious ceremonies. Snakes were sacred to the Aztecs as they were the symbol of the feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl. The Aztec Empire consisted of many subject territories, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Frequently they had to provide gifts as tribute to demonstrate their allegiance to the Aztec emperor. Tributes in the form of turquoise were particularly highly valued.
Detail of one of the serpent’s heads.
An Aztec codex with an illustration of a double-headed serpent.
HAWAIIAN FEATHER HELMET
Location: Pacific - Australia Hawaii Period: 1700 - 1800 Theme: Travel - Trade - War Size: Small H: 37cm W: 15cm D: 30cm Colour: Material: Animal Material
Print showing the death of Captain Cook.
This feather helmet would have been worn by a Hawaiian chief during a ceremony or in battle. It is made from wicker basketry and covered with the red feathers of honeycreepers and the yellow feathers of honeyeaters. Red and yellow were the Hawaiians’ most important colours and were regarded as tapu - holding a sacred quality.
Feathers enhanced mana - a spiritual force that can fill individuals or objects with power. Birds were regarded in Polynesia as spiritual messengers.
This helmet was probably collected in 1778 by Captain Cook or a crew member of his ship. They were the first Europeans to ever visit Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands were first settled in around AD 400 but had probably been isolated from the rest of Polynesia for 500 years when Cook arrived.
Portrait print of Captain James Cook from 1784.
HOKUSAI'S "THE GREAT WAVE"
Location: East Asia, Japan Culture: The Modern World Period: 1800 - 1900, 1830–1833 Theme: Trade - Art Communication Size: Small H: 25.8cm W: 37.9cm Colour: Material: Paper
‘Under the Wave off Kanagawa’ (‘The Great Wave’) is probably the most iconic Japanese artwork in the world. It depicts a monstrous wave about to come crashing down on three fishing boats and their crews. On the horizon is Mount Fuji, dwarfed by the colossal wave.
The print was created by Hokusai when he was about seventy years old, as part of his Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji series. The print was made using colour woodblock printing and many thousands of impressions were made - each one sold quite cheaply.
Self portrait as an old man. Original in Louvre.
When The Great Wave was first issued, in about 1830, Japan’s contact with the outside world was strictly regulated. It was only in 1859 when Japan, under pressure from America and other powers, opened a few of its ports that Japanese prints began to be exported to Europe. They were quickly discovered and celebrated by European and American artists like Whistler, Van Gogh and Monet. The Great Wave inspired Debussy’s symHokusai’s signature.
phonic sketches La Mer and has become one of the most iconic images of the power of the sea.
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