(All photos courtesy of http://deyoung.famsf.org/)

OLMEC: COLOSSAL MASTERWORKS
OF ANCIENT MEXICO @ DE YOUNG

This past Saturday, I was able to take a trip to the de Young Museum (which deserves a post of its own by the way. The building itself is beautiful!) to see the Olmec show. The Olmec civilization was the oldest of the Americas, dating back to about 1500–400 BC and was situated in and around modern-day Veracruz and Tabasco, Mexico.

Out of stone boulders, they carved enormous heads (like the one above) that weigh up to a whopping 24 tons (48,000 lbs!) The heads that are included in the show are in pristine shape....every curve of the eyelids, lips and cheeks is simply breathtaking. To counter this, there are other sculptures/masks not more than an inch tall, with the most detailed features. There's one carved out of jade that I unfortunately wasn't allowed to take a photo of...but is embedded in my memory. Gorgeous!

Read more about the show here.

MACHU PICCHU

...and how could I talk about Peru without mentioning Machu Picchu??

The morning my travel partner and I trekked to this mountain-top treasure, the mist got the best of us. Unfortunately, we weren't able to view the sun rise over the mountains from Inti Punku (Sun Gate), as the entire area was engulfed in white fog and we were lucky we could even see the trail!

As we made our way back down, however, the mist began to clear, revealing terrace upon terrace upon terrace of 600 year old structures, mysterious stone sculptures and grazing llamas (or alpacas? Still can't tell the difference). 

What is Machu Picchu? Well, to this day, it remains a mystery. Some believe it was a hacienda built for the Incan king Pachacuti. Others believe it to be a place where the ancient Quecha people would observe and worship the sun and stars. Another theory is that it was some type of mountain-top citadel.

I was c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e-l-y floored. Its immensity alone will take your breath away. 

If you haven't yet seen it with your own eyes, consider it a MUST. And while you're in the country, check these out.

Read more about it here.

INCA GOLD

To the ancient Incas, gold was considered to be the "sweat of the sun". Silver, "the tears of the moon"...

...Um, don't you just wanna tickle this little guy?

"Baby Figure" dates back to the 12th–9th century and is of Mexican origin. You can check it out for yourself at the MET.

Helmet made by Felippo Negroli (Milan, Italy), 1543

Made from one plate of steel. The mermaid that lays on her back is actually holding Medusa's head by her hair.

Helmet (Paris, France), 1555

One both sides are embossed battle scenes (Lapiths vs. Centaurs). Probably made for Henry II. 

Armor made by Drouar (Paris, France) 1712

Get this: This armor is said to have been made for the Infante Luis (the first Spanish-born Bourban heir to the Spanish throne) when he was 5 years old!! Can you imagine a 5-year-old holding this thing up? It must weigh a ton!

Helmet (Iran), late 15th century

A helmet shaped like a turban, this piece is made of iron and silver. It passed into Turkish possession as booty with the Ottoman conquest of Iran. It's so interesting – the difference between this helmet and the others. I love its shape and floral pattern (what a dainty detail for a helmet, don't you think??)

Spur (France or Spain), circa 1400

A sign of societal status, the golden spur distinguished riders from those of lesser rank. It's quite beautiful with its checkered pattern. 

MET / ARMS & ARMOR

My favorite part of the MET is their Arms and Armor section, and the funny thing is, I didn't even know that part of the permanent collection even existed until last year. When I did find it, it literally took my breath away. 

The level of detail, craftsmanship and perfection is out-of-this-world. Each piece, regardless of origin, is incredibly ornate. Impending death is like a regal summons...in the way that these warriors would dress themselves for battle. You can almost imaging the clanging and clinking as the rider mounts his horse. So immense and heavy, and yet incredibly elegant.

I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU...

I came across this image today while researching ancient Etruscan art for a project I'm working on.

Drooling, aren't you?

It's a gold fibula that dates all the way back to the 7th century BC. Five lions, their style inspired by the Orient, adorn the center of it. They're framed by two bands of interlocking patterns.

Pretty ostentatious. And pretty fabulous.

This particular one is housed in the Vatican Museums in Rome, but the next time you're at the MET, check out their collection of ancient metalwork and jewelry. It's super-extensive...and SO inspiring.

NAZCA LINES

The Nazca Lines are a series of giant drawings (sketched onto the earth) that exist in the Nazca Desert of western Peru. They date back to 200 BC–AD 700, and were created by the Nasca society that inhabited southern Peru at the time. There are hundreds of individual drawings, that range from simple lines to more complex but very stylized plants, animal and human figures, the largest of which is about 900 feet long (!)

They were accidentally discovered in 1927 by a plane in flight. No one really knows what the drawings were used for, although many believe them to be of a spiritual/religious nature. One theory is that the drawing were intended to point towards locations on the horizon where the sun, moon, stars rose and set.

The interesting thing, is that these ancient artists couldn't have possibly seen the entirety of some of these drawings--which can only be seen as a whole from high above.

I haven't traveled to Peru yet, but between Macchu Pichu and the Nazca lines...I'm so intrigued! MIght have to tap into my Sky Mile reserve...

PLUS, is anyone as drawn to that bird's feet as I am?? So odd and adorable at the same time!