The Gateway

Rain Lily

A lovely little flower native to Florida growing in my parent’s yard.

The Tampa Museum of Art

A few pictures from my visit to the Tampa Museum of Art.

Set of Tools, Roman Imperial period, 1st-2nd century CE.

This bronze set of tools hanging from a ring includes items such as tweezers, a spatula, and a straight pin. Reminiscent of a key chain or a Swiss Army knife. 

Untitled, by Roger Williams, 1975.

This painting was large and striking. Upon a closer look, you could see the incredibly fine brush strokes of the artist’s hand. The lines were so crisp and the colors so smooth; it was remarkably precise in its execution.

Dove Earring, Greece; late Classical - early Hellenistic period, 4th-3rd century BCE.

A single delicate gold earring with a dove and a red carnelian bead. The dove was beautifully crafted with incisions to mark the feathers. It even had little feet. 

Wedding Scene, Greece; classical period, 400 BCE.

The description read: “This red-figure fragment comes from a loutrophoros, a type of vessel often used in a bride’s pre-nuptial ritual bath or in the funeral rituals for unmarried women. The vase painting depicts a wedding scene with the groom on the right, holding the hand of his bride on the left. Of interest here is that the vessel was deliberately broken and burned, pointing to a funerary ritual lamenting a young woman’s early death.” 

Little Master Cup, Greece; Archaic period, 540-530 BCE.

Between the figures of a siren and a sphinx an inscription translates to “rejoice and drink up”. 

Bag with Natron, Egypt; New Kingdom, 1323 BCE.

The description read: “This unseemly linen bag was found in a pit with refuse from the embalming process of Pharaoh Tutankhamon fifteen years before the discovery of King Tut’s famous tomb by Howard Carter in 1922. The bag is filled with natron (hydrated soda ash combined with other minerals), used in the king’s mummification process.”

Gourd-Shaped Container, Italy; Archaic period, 625-575 BCE.

This unusual ceramic vessel was made in the shape of a gourd and painted with birds, sphinxes, and geometric latticework. There were holes on the vessel and the lid for a cord to be used to hold them together in place. 

Gold Earrings, Italy and Greece, various time periods from the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. 

This lovely display was full of earrings with incredible craftsmanship. I am always struck by the intimate nature of jewelry. Every piece was unique, ornate, and highly personal. Some may have been gifts to a loved one. Many looked remarkably modern. 

Hera, (no artist listed), 1927.

This was a plaster model for a sculpture of the goddess Hera. The pencil markings were used to help the artist make copies. The tiny “x” markings actually resembled the pattern on the bride’s dress from the broken piece of pottery from the Wedding Scene above.

Sunset Through a Crystal