Indian Ocean 

This headrest is a horizontal platform with four legs, featuring semi-circular handles on each end. It belongs to a group found south of the Zambezi River, known for its absence of a columnar base. The bulbous legs resemble a healthy quadruped, possibly a cow, significant in Nguni society. Deeply incised grooves adorn the legs, handles, and underbelly, creating a dramatic surface. The headrest's distinct style links it to sculptors active in mid-nineteenth-century Natal, South Africa (Catherine Elliot, personal correspondence, 11/04/18). Nguni headrests served to protect elaborate hairstyles, reflecting the wearer's status. 

The African bar zithers most likely emerged in Madagascar after their initial development in Southeast Asia around the first millennium A.D. Throughout the nineteenth century, they spread across East and Central Africa through trade routes. The instrument is commonly played alongside songs and dances, with playing positions varying across different regions.

Reverend William Ellis, a prominent member of the London Missionary Society, captured this exquisite view of Antsahatsiroa, Madagascar. He was a well-known missionary in Hawaii and Tahiti, translating and illustrating Christian scriptures in the local languages. In 1853, at the age of fifty-nine, he embraced photography and collaborated with fellow missionary James Cameron to capture portraits of Madagascar's royalty. Ellis's photographs are among the earliest surviving records of the island.

The unique masks made from turtle shells found in the Torres Strait Islands, located between Australia and New Guinea, are exceptional examples of Oceanic art. These masks, attributed to Mabuiag Island, showcase a blend of human and animal imagery, characteristic of the masks from the western Torres Strait.

Traditionally, the turtle-shell masks in the Western Torres Strait were utilized during funerary ceremonies and rituals meant to ensure prosperous harvests and abundant marine life. These ceremonies often involved performances, where esteemed men donned the masks and grass costumes, reenacting stories of culture-heroes passed down through oral tradition.

The mask, worn over the head like a helmet, portrays a human face, possibly representing one of these revered culture-heroes. On top of the mask, there is a frigate bird, likely symbolizing his personal totem. This combination of elements creates a visually captivating and culturally significant artwork.

During the rule of the Eastern Javanese kingdom of Majapahit (14th-16th century), terracotta pigs with slots as coin boxes became popular in Trowulan, the capital. The reasons for their popularity are unclear, but they may symbolize financial success and culinary delights due to pork's significance. Some examples remain unslotted, and a bronze boar with projecting tusks suggests domestication. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the era's cultural significance.

Before the great battle, Ravana sent spies Shuka and Sarana to assess Rama's monkey and bear armies. Vibhishana captured them and brought them before Rama, who, accompanied by Lakshmana and Sugriva, released them as they were unarmed envoys. The demon spies later informed Ravana about Rama's formidable forces.

This painting by Manaku is part of an important commission with a continuous narrative showcasing three events. It contrasts Ravana's golden fortress with Rama's camp, highlighting the Basohli-Guler-Kangra style's evolution.

This Burmese folding paper manuscript, known as "parabaik," features 15 vividly painted scenes on locally produced mulberry bark paper. It beautifully combines traditional Burmese religious art with European pictorial elements, showcasing court processions, ceremonies, and entertainments. The manuscript's lavishness is enhanced by its gilt lacquer covers.

Ornaments of this distinctive double-conical shape have been discovered in the eastern regions of Saudi Arabia and Oman, where they were worn by Bedouin women. The collection of gold granules at the bottom of the jewel is commonly interpreted as a symbol of fertility, representing the mulberry fruit, a significant adornment used in this region's jewelry since ancient times. These exquisite adornments were likely worn as earrings, through the ear, or attached to necklaces or headdresses.