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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 2d

A tragedy mask for #MosaicMonday. Surrounded by fruit, grapes, and garlands. A close-up detail from an ancient Roman mosaic from #Pompeii.
Housed at the Naples National Archaeological Museum.
📷 Jebulon/wikimedia

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 12d

Polyphemus and Galatea in landscape for #FrescoFriday. From the Imperial villa at Boscotrecase, the Mythological Room (19). #Roman early Imperial, Augustan, last decade of the 1st century BCE.
📷Met Museum (20.192.17)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

Dimensions: H. 73 3/4 in. (187.33 cm.)
width 47 in. (119.38 cm.)

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 14d

A slightly different #ReliefWednesday. These beautiful relief panels are dedicated to a #LlandaffCathedral architect for his restoration work (1949-75) following the war.
#HistoryBlueSky #archaeology #Cathedrals #Wales

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 15d

An inscribed dedication, in #cuneiform to the god #Enlil for #EpigraphyTuesday. From the temple of #Ishtar, Kidmuri. A #Neo-Assyrian pedestal or altar, from the rule of Ashurnasirpal II, 865-860 BC.
📷British Museum (118870)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

A limestone pedestal or altar from the Neo-Assyrian period under the rule of Ashurnasirpal II, 865-860 BC. Used to support the holy emblem of the god Enlil. Inscription is located near the top, in cuneiform.
Inscription translation: the king of heaven, . . . who dwelleth in the temple of Kidmari.
Inscription note: In the inscription, the king says he dedicates the altar so that his life may endure and his days be long, and so that his successors and his country may enjoy prosperity.
Dimensions: Height: 54 centimetres; Length: 54.50 centimetres; Width: 31.50 centimetres

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 19d

An astronomical #FrescoFriday! This fragment depicts #Urania, the Muse of Astronomy. From the House of Julia Felix, #Pompeii, 62-79 CE. Now at the Louvre Museum, Paris.
📷Carole Raddato/worldhistory.org
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #mythology #Muses

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 20d

A collection for #HelmetThursday. Tiverton Castle is home to many #armour pieces, including a lovely range of helmets, some from the #Roundheads and #Cavaliers. The castle isn't open everyday, but is well priced and worth a visit for the armour (and gardens).
#HistoryBlueSky #archaeology #Tiverton

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 21d

The Wellington reredos for #ReliefWednesday. It likely stood behind the high altar of St. John's church and was richly coloured. They were defaced at the Reformation (1540s), and later, it was taken down and used as paving around the altar.
Somerset Museum
#HistoryBlueSky #Archaeology

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 22d

A lintel block from the false door of Mery's chapel for #EpigraphyTuesday. An Old Kingdom piece (ca. 2575–2520 B.C) giving some of Mery's priestly and administrative positions. Memphite Region, Saqqara, Djoser precinct.
📷Met Museum (67.50)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #Egyptian

Dimensions: L. 90.2 cm (35 1/2 in.). The lintel is broken on both ends, exhibiting only part of the first title and missing the tomb owner's name.
Translation:
[jm.j-r'-zXA.ww]-a-nswt mDH-mHy.t* jm.j pr-HD pr-aHA.w, jm.j-r' jz-Hkr.w-nswt, Hr.j-zStA-pr-aA, smr-wa.tj, Hm-nTr-Hr.wj-jm.tj-zmy.t [mr.y]

Overseer of the royal document-scribes, Carpenter of the (cult image) of Mehit*, Overseer of the treasury and of the armory, Overseer of the chamber of the king's ornaments, Privy to the secrets of the Palace, Sole companion, Priest of the two Horuses who are in the desert**, Mery.

Notes on Met Website (Niv Allon 2016):

* mDH.w-mHy.t - The reading of this title is not entirely certain. The goddess Mehit already appears on early dynastic seals as a recumbant lionness with three poles extending from her back, see Godron, Gérard 1951. Deux notes d'épigraphie thinite. Revue d'égyptologie 8, 91-98.

**The dual divinity appearing in the final title of Mery is not attested elswhere. They might relate to the twin divinities of the Coptite nome or to the Northern and Southern Horus.

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · 23d

Returning from a week away with a #MosaicMonday from Somerset Museum. The East Coker mosaic. Showing two successful hunters carrying home a deer with their hunting dog. The hunters' clothing is typical of the second half of the 4th century AD.
#ClassicsBlueSky #AncientBlueSky #Archaeology #Roman

The East Coker mosaic, c. AD 360, East Coker, Somerset. Depicted is two successful hunters carrying home a deer from a pole by it's legs, with a hunting dog below. The hunter on the right is looking towards the observer and the one of the left is looking ahead. Both carry weapons. Below the right hunters is another section of mosaic, showing a red flower, the rest is sadly lost.

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Sep 5

Happy #FrescoFriday! A #Pompeii piece of #Venus and #Eros from Taberna delle Quattro Divinitá (IX,7,1). She doesn't look the happiest here, I wonder what Eros has done??? 🏹
📷Roger Ulrich/worldhistory.org
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #mythology

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Sep 4

A turban helmet with aventail for #HelmetThursday. The aventail is fixed with a lead seal stamped with the mark used in the #Ottoman arsenals, suggesting it passed into Turkish possession as booty.
📷Met Museum (50.87)
#HistoryBlueSky #armour #history #archaeology #metalwork

Turban helmet with aventail, late 15th-16th century, Turkish, in the style of Turkman armour.
Met Museum Information: The aventail is fixed with a lead seal stamped with the mark used in the Ottoman arsenals, an indication that this example, like the other turban helmets also in the Museum's collection (acc. nos. 04.3.209, .210, .214, .457, .462; 36.25.109), passed into Turkish possession as booty with the Ottoman conquest of Iran and the Caucasus.
At least one turban helmet decorated in a style comparable to this example bears the name of Farruhk-Siar (reigned 1464–1501), ruler of Shirvan in the Caucasus. Such evidence suggests that this helmet is also of Shirvan manufacture.
This helmet was siezed by the Nazis from the collection of Baron Alphonse Mayer Rothschild (1878–1942) in Vienna in 1938 and restituted by the government of Austria to his heirs in 1949.
Dimensions: H. including mail 22 in. (55.9 cm); H. excluding mail 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm); Diam. 10 in. (25.4 cm); Wt. including mail 7 lb. 6.2 oz. (3350.9 g); Wt. excluding mail 3 lb. 9 oz. (1616 g)

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Sep 3

A New Kingdom #ReliefWednesday with chariots. Discovered in the Sanctuary of the Great Aten temple, #Amarna. Chariots with spirited horses are held in check by grooms in the upper register. ca. 1352-1336 BC.
📷Met Museum (27.6.1)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #Egyptian

A relief with chariots from the New Kingdom, Amarna period, ca. 1352-1336 BCE.
Chariots with spirited horses are held in check by grooms in the upper register. Scenes of waiting chariots flanked depictions of the royal family in the temple worshipping the Aten. The family had driven to the temple and left their horses outside while they worshipped. The register below depicts various attending groups also waiting outside for the royal family's return.
Dimensions: 23.7 × W. 54.2 cm (9 5/16 × 21 5/16 in.)

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Sep 2

A #Coptic ostracon for ##EpigraphyTuesday. Dating to the 7th-8th century AD, the inscription is in black ink on both sides. There is a mention of Abraham at the end. From the #Theban area.
📷Liverpool Museums, World Museum (M13838)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 29

The Tomb of the Diver for #FrescoFriday. Built around 500-475 BCE and found 1968. The Diver has puzzled historians but so too has the context of the tomb with symposium imagery covering the four tomb walls.
📷PaestumPaestum (National Museum of Paestum)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 28

A Tibetan #HelmetThursday. An iron helmet with an iron bowl fitted with a gilded flattened finial and a supporting strap with pierced work designs. The front panel and attached viser features dragons and flaming jewels.
📷Liverpool Museums, World Museum (56.27.206)
#HistoryBlueSky #armour

17th-18th century iron helmet.
Overall: 210 mm x 170 mm x 270 mm

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 26

A baby-feeder of black glazed pottery for #EpigraphyTuesday. With a #Greek inscription: Drink up, don't put (it) down. The letters engraved with a fine-pointed tool appear to belong to the later half of the 4th century B.C
📷British Museum (1836,0224.262)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

A black glazed pottery baby-feeder, 4th century BC. In the mouth of the piece is a strainer and the glaze is frayed in places. It is in the shape of a boat-like guttus, with a small ring shaped handle on the side and a spout at one end. A Greek inscription is on the side.
Inscription: ΓΡΟΓΙΝΕ ΜΗ ΚΑΤΘΗΙΣ, Προπινε μή κατθής.
Inscription translation: Drink up, don't put (it) down.
Inscription note: The letters appear to belong to the second half of the fourth century B.C.; they are engraved with a fine-pointed tool.
Dimensions: Height: 8.89 centimetres; Length: 19.05 centimetres

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 25

A theatrical #MosaicMonday, depicting actors and an aulos player. I love the presence of the theatrical masks used by the actors 🎭.
House of the Tragic Poet, #Pompeii. Now, at Naples National Archaeological Museum (Inv. 9986).
📷Marie-Lan Nguyen
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #Roman

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 22

The myth of #Perseus and #Andromeda for #FrescoFriday. Perseus is about to rescue Andromeda from a snake sea monster ketos, who is painted in a brilliant blue-green palette.
From the Imperial villa at Boscotrecase.
📷Met Museum (20.192.16)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #mythology

A fresco of the Augustan period, last decade of the 1st century BCE, originally from the Villa of Agrippa Postumus at Boscotrecase, the Mythological room.
It depicts two consecutive events from the myth of Perseus and Andromeda. Persesus is about to rescue Andromeda from a snakey sea monster ketos, who is painted in a blue-green palette. The creature is seen raising his head with gigantic open jaws and frightful teeth towards Andromeda. Andromeda is central with her arms outstretched. One hand seems to be chained to the crag, the other placed upon the rocks. Perseus is flying in on the left-hand side with his lyre in his hand and winged sandals on his feet. A windblown cloak passes over his shoulder. In the upper right section, he is greeted by Andromeda's thankful father. The scene alludes to the ending of the myth where the hero and princess are to be married.
Dimensions: H. 62 3/4 in. (159.39 cm.)
width 46 3/4 in. (118.75 cm.)

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 21

A #Burgonet #Renaissance masterpiece for #HelmetThursday. The bowl is raised in high relief with motifs including sirens, the head of Medusa, and acanthus scrolls inhabited by putti. Signed by Filippo Negroli.
📷Met Museum (17.190.1720)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #armour

A burgonet, dated to 1543. The piece is signed by Filippo Negroli, whose embossed armour in the 16th century was praised by writers as "miraculous" and deserving "immortal merit."
It is formed of one plate of steel which is patinated to look like bronze. The bowl is raised in high relief with motifs inspired by classical art. The graceful mermaid-like siren which forms the helmet's comb holds the grimacing head of Medusa by her hair. The sides are covered with acanthus scrolls inhabited by putti. This motif derives from the ancient Roman sculpture and wall paintings.
Dimensions: H. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm); W. 7 5/16 in. (18.6 cm); D. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 2 oz. (1871 g)

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 20

A #Palmyrene #ReliefWednesday. The Palmyrene god #Shadrafa is wearing a #Roman military costume with a lance entwined by a snake, a round shield, and a sword. A scorpion can be found in the background.
📷British Museum (125206)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

A Palmyrene relief, limestone votive stela. The Palmyrene god Shadrafa is central, bearded with curly hair. He is holding a lance entwined by a snake in his left hand and a round shield in his right. A sword can be seen at his back. He is in Roman military costume. A scorpion can be seen in the back on the right side. The image is enclosed in a framed edge, which has been broken horizontally and remade with cement. Underneath the image is a craved inscription.
Inscription translation: In the month Iyar [May] in the year 366 [AD 55] this stela was erected by Atenatan, son of Zabd'ateh, descendant of Toshabeb, to Shadrafa, the good god, in order that he may become patron in his sanctuary for him and the members of his house, all of them.
Dimensions: Height: 47.30 centimetres; Width: 33 centimetres; Depth: 13.50 centimetres

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 19

A votive stela of Usherhat for #EpigraphyTuesday. He testifies to his own good qualities and to his trust in his god (#Amun ?). He is depicted with his wife Nefertari and was a priest of two mortuary cults in Dynasty 18.
📷Met Museum (05.4.2)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #Egyptian

A votive stela of Usherhat, 1327-1295 BC. In the inscription, Usherhat testifies to his own good qualities and to trust in his god, likely to be Amun. He is depicted with his wife Nefertari to the right of him (both kneeling with their hands raised towards to their faces, palms facing the text). Usherhat was a priest in the mortuary cults of Amenhotep III and Tutankhamun, suggesting the couple lived in late Dynasty 18. The complex layering of relief and the style of the figures showcase the influence of the art of Amarna at Thebes.
Dimensions: H. 42.5 cm (16 3/4 in); W. 48 cm (18 7/8 in)

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 18

A fierce #Syrian lion for #MosaicMonday. A floor fragment piece from the 6th century CE. Potentially jumping for joy this warm Monday evening! 🦁
📷Howard Cheng (Los Angeles County Museum)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 15

A priest wearing an #Anubis mask for #FrescoFriday. Temple of Isis, #Pompeii. The cult of #Isis was widespread in the #Hellenistic period due to the religious links between the Greeks and Egypt. Naples National Archaeological Museum.
📷Carole Raddato/worldhistory.org

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 14

An #Etruscan jockey type #HelmetThursday. It has two ear flaps (one of which is the original), and the lower edge is decorated with broad rope pattern topped by two bands of ornamentation. The helmet is broken at the top.
📷Penn Museum (MS1606)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology #armour

An Etruscan helmet of the jockey type, made of bronze, 400-300BC. It has two ear flaps, one of which is the original. The lower edge is decorated with a broad rope pattern, topped by two narrow bands of ornamentation. This is increased at the back by the addition of lined triangles. The helmet is broken on top by a severe blow, where a crest may have been present but this is uncertain.
Dimensions: Height: 32cm; Length: 26.3cm; Width: 20.8cm.

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Hannah Okon @han-okon.bsky.social · Aug 13

A bronze altar to #Rahmaw for #ReliefWednesday. A tin bronze altar, with the front panel showing three rows of standing sphinxes, set below a lightly projecting cornice around which runs the beginning of a Sabaean inscription.
📷British Museum (135324)
#AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBlueSky #archaeology

1st Century BCE- 1st Century CE, tin bronze altar, cast in relief. Found Marib (potentially historic Saba).
Dimensions: Height: 20 centimetres; Thickness: 20 centimetres; Width: 75 centimetres.

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