I'm David

  "Leiden, Univerity Library, BPL MS 2579, 15th century (photo: Erik Kwakkel)" (smarthistory.org) Books with clasps, such as this one, have been seen in many movies, TV shows, video games, anywhere; if not, then I guess its just me. But if you have seen them, I'm sure you've asked yourself why were clasps needed? To keep private things private, and keep your secrets safe. I would have thought the same thing, but clasps were created to keep pages from wrinkling. The books from medieval times used parchment paper. Oftentimes these parchment pages would get damaged, lost, or super wrinkly. To keep that from happening, clasps were invented; but not only for this reason, but also to help books keep their shape.  During medieval times, many people would most likely be traveling, doing something dangerous, adventurous; or something along the lines that would destroy books. To keep books from being destroyed. Clasps were made, to keep the books from deforming, warping, or cha

  (AH 946, creator unknown, Victorian and Albert Museum)  This is one of the world's oldest carpets, this Islamic carpet is known for being associated with a great political Iran dynasty. Carpets such as theses are the foundations of Islamic art, they are often traded all throughout Islam, as well as Europe and China. Interestingly enough this carpet got its name from a town in the north-west of Iran called Ardabil. Where it was found in the shrine of the Sufi saint, Safi al-Din Ardabili. This carpet was one of two carpets, that were found in this shrine. These identical carpets, were found together, but now they live in separate museums; the Victorian and Albert Museum in London; while the other is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. But how they got there is very interesting, these two carpets got their new homes; due to an earthquake that damaged the shrine they were found in and were later sold. Although both were destroyed one was restored, and the other in the  Los Angel

(Blue Mosque, 1617, Sedefhar Mehmet Aga) I'm sure we've all seen this building before, but probably don't know what it's called; this building is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. This giant building was created by Sedefhar Mehmet Aga, a pupil and senior assistant of the famous architect Mimar Sinan to be in charge of the mosque (http://www.bluemosque.co/). Which was completed in 1617, in Istanbul soon after the death of the 27 year old, Sultan Ahmet I. Sultan Ahmet I was the ruler of Istanbul, from as early as 13 years old, as time passed Ahmet was seen as a weak and inexperienced Sultan. Although his legacy resides with what he left behind, during a time of relative decline. In which Sultan Ahmet I, began construction on the Sultan Ahmed Mosque also known as the Blue Mosque. Although most mosques are usually constructed to signify political strength; and usually not placed in an area such as the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque was strategically plac

                                                               This ceramic bowl, may seem like your ordinary piece of ancient kitchen wear. Well it is, although there is a deep meaning behind the images of this pottery. Even if it might seem simple, the story is still a tragic one. On this late 12th, to early 13th century year old, Islamic pottery, we see a camel, an archer, a horse, birds, three woman, and a man.  The bowl is called, Bowl with Bahram Gur and Azada. The story depicted here, talks about Bahram Gur and Azada. Bahram Gur is the male with the bow, and Azada is woman playing the harp; with another woman being trampled, and the other close behind. Where this painting comes from is Persian literature, Shahnama, "The Book of the Kings". This story is one of the most admired tales; that shows a hunting scene. Although, the ending of this story, is what makes this painting important. At first it shows, Bahram Gur, Azada's Husband, piercing a gazelle, with his bow

(The  Pisa Pulpit, 1320, by Italian artist Giovanni Pisano)  This amazing piece of artwork was often criticized as an awful disaster. Although depending on your view of this marble carving, you'll find it to be astonishing. Created seven hundred years ago by the Italian Gothic sculptor, Giovanni Pisano, who named this carving the Pisa Pulpit. The reason this carving was viewed as a disaster by upcoming historians was due to photographs. Creating a misconception on this carving. Showing these historians bland photos, making details seem cluttered and unorganized. Making many figures seem unproportionate and unhuman like, although Giovanni deliberately created them with such strange features. Which lead historians to not realize the true beauty this artwork has to offer. As "You who marvel, judge by the correct law" which was a message inscribed on the Pulpit by Giovanni, meaning, the viewer's judgment is what makes this piece unique. Looking at sculpture, it's hard

This is known as the, Bronze statue of Eros Sleeping, from the 3rd century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.;  Hellenistic period. This bronze statue of Eros, is unlike any other statues of Gods, as Gods are often portrayed as heroic, with dynamic poses. Here we see Eros a primeval God the son of Chaos, as an infant, different from past sculptures. As Eros the God  of love, desire, and sexual love,  is often characterized as youthful, cruel and careless with his abilities that make others fall in love. But in this seven piece statue,  made up of the head, arms, legs, wings, body, and drapery.  Eros is seen as a sleeping babe, showing the purity, and innocence of love. As in the statue we can see the sincerity and calmness shown through his chubby body, through the flaps of skin overlapping; giving a feeling of naturalism throughout the piece.  Being seen as a harmless babe, people might think Eros is Cupid, except Eros is a Greek God, while Cupid was based off of Eros, with Cupid being a Rom

Winged Victory The name of this towering, 18 foot Parian marble sculpture, is Nike of Samothrace, also known as, Winged Victory. When I first read the name Winged Victory, the words, "sweet, sweet, sweet, victory... yeah!" came into mind, reminding me of the song, "Sweet Victory" from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode, Band Geeks.  The song "Sweet Victory" came to mind, because that song represents, the feeling of victory, and how victory is achieved. Which is what the Nike of Samothrace represents, being named after the ancient goddess Nike, who was the embodiment of victory. The Nike of Samothrace or Winged Victory, is part of the Hellenistic period, which defined a time where art was more focused on emotion, and sadness: visualizing other aspects of art, rather than idealizing figures. The Nike of Samothrace was discovered in pieces, all was found but the head, and arms. Charles Champoiseau, discovered Winged Victory in 1863 on the Greek island of Samot

https://smarthistory.org/anthropomorphic-stele/ Anthropomorphic Stele At first glance, this stone carving might seem a little bizarre. However, you may be surprised  to find out this humanoid carving; made of sandstone, that stands three feet tall. Is one of the earliest known artifacts of the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to 4th millennium. As you can see, the features of this carving, are a face, a chest, a waist, a necklace that goes across the body with an awl attached, along with a double-bladed dagger warping around the waist. With all these features we can see, this is a human based figure; but what does it represent?     For archeologists, working in the Arabian Peninsula the wrong explanation could be troublesome; as this is quite new, archeology has been around for, 40 years, so it's difficult to determine what this carving represents. When looking at certain details, such as who created it, why, and by which culture. After discovering this ancient artifact archeologists

The Rosetta Stone, known for it's three languages, Hieroglyphs, Demotic, and Greek, was believed to be part of something bigger, something, that would have stood two meters high. As the top of the Rosetta Stone, looks as if broken at an angle. The Rosetta Stone was found in 1799 when Napoleon's soldiers, were looking for a foundation of a fort, near a town called el-Rashid also known as Rosetta. Even thought, this was found by Napoleon, Thomas Young, was the first to notice something important inscribed on the Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta Stone wrote the sounds of a royal name, Ptolemy. Interestingly enough, the name Ptolemy belonged to a 13 year old boy, who was on the Rosetta Stone because of his coronation. This was able to be translated because, they used Greek to help identify the Hieroglyphs, and Demotic parts on the Rosetta stone. The Rosetta Stone was taken by the British in 1801, and placed it into the British Museum, and has been there since 1802. Since then there has b