Object of the Month – August
August’s Object of the Month is from Tibet. This gilt and painted bronze Vajra (鎏金嵌寳金剛杵) is cast with the heads of ferocious bodhisattva. The phurba is a three-sided peg, stake, knife, or nail-like ritual implement deeply rooted in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Bön traditions. Its primary association is with the meditational
Object of the Month – July
July’s Object of the Month takes us to the pre-Columbian era. This Chimu wool tapestry features squares with alternating patterns including birds and feline heads. To learn more about the Chimu culture and this wool tapestry see Chimu Wool Tapestry Panel
Object of the Month – June
In honor Pride Month, June’s Object of the Month comes from our LGBTQ Collection. Earring Magic Ken features clip-on earrings and is accompanied by a small pamphlet in his original box. To learn more about Earring Magic Ken
The Melikian Collection Hosts Visiting Scholar
The Melikian Collection was pleased to host a scholar from Humboldt University in Berlin the week of May 27, 2024. She was here as part of the ERC Dharma Project and was photographing some of the Collection’s 41 medieval metal decrees, some dating to 549 AD. The photographs will be
Object of the Month – May
May’s Object of the Month is a Tau-Tau or funerary puppet. The oldest rituals involving puppets related to the cult of the ancestors and of the dead. To learn more about Sa’dan Toraja Funerary Puppet
Melikians in the News – Ethiopia at the Crossroads
On April 17, 2024, “The Armenian Mirror-Spectator” published an article by Aram Arkun about the traveling exhibit “Ethiopia at the Crossroads,” which is currently at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The Melikians have several items on loan to this wonderful exhibit and are mentioned prominently in the article.
The Melikian’s Attend Exhibit Opening
On April 12th, the Melikians attended the opening of the traveling exhibition, “Ethiopia at the Crossroads” at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The Melikians have loaned several items from their collection to the Peabody for this exhibition. If you find yourself in the the Salem area between now
Object of the Month – April
April’s Object of the Month is the occult text “Divnama – The Almanac of Demons.” This richly illustrated text is attributed to the prophet Solomon, who by Qur’anic tradition could control all animals. To learn more about Divnama – The Almanac of Demons
Object of the Month – March
This month we feature an Ethiopian Qur’an from sub-Saharan Africa. It’s dated August 12, 1773 and was owned by a chieftain serving the Ethiopian Emperor. To see more about the Ethiopian Qur’an
Object of the Month – February
February 10, 2024 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon. To celebrate, February’s Object of the Month is a Dragon Scroll. See more about the Dragon Scroll