17 interesting artifacts that bear witness to life in bygone eras (18 photos)

Art is beautiful for many reasons. One of them is its versatility, as its subjects include not only well-known and fundamental sculptures, paintings, and ancient jewelry, but also little-known but curious objects.





At first glance, they are difficult to classify as World Heritage Sites, but upon closer inspection, you realize they, too, are worthy of being part of this treasure trove. What connects the armor of a young knight, a Japanese fan system, and Sarah Bernhardt's bracelet? All of them were silent witnesses to turning points—personal and national. These objects preserve the memory of rituals of power, personal devotion, and the eternal search for beauty.

1. The Majestic Giant



The world's only stuffed blue whale, on display at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Initially, the public was allowed inside, but after an incident involving a couple who had an intimate encounter there, the whale's mouth is only opened on special occasions, such as election day.

2. The Peculiar Creativity of the Great





Self-portrait of Louis XIII, painted by the Dauphin of France at the age of six, 1607.

3. A Textile Masterpiece



A Turkish tent captured by Polish troops during the Battle of Vienna (1683). Created around 1683, it is made of linen and cotton and is richly decorated. It is part of the National Art Collection of the Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow, Poland.

4. Symbol of Rebirth



Jade cicadas, which were placed on the tongues of the dead, symbolizing rebirth. China, Han Dynasty.

5. System of Measurement



Seven blue Roman glass vessels used for measuring volume. Each successive vessel has twice the volume of the previous one. The artifacts date back to the first century AD and were found in Pompeii, Italy.

6. Special jewelry for an actress



A snake-shaped bracelet with a ring, created by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha for French actress Sarah Bernhardt. Made using cloisonné enamel with rubies, opals, and diamonds. 1899.

7. Animalistic Jewelry



Dog-shaped brooch made of gold, silver, garnets, and diamonds. Circa 1890. Workshop of the jeweler Frédéric Boucheron.

8. Elegant and Functional Design



Fan wheel (uchiwa-guruma), which belonged to the Japanese imperial family and was made in the late Edo period. The base is made of lacquered wood with a garnet pattern, and the fan's painting was created by Kano Osanobu (1796–1846).

9. An Original Accessory



A planetarium table clock, made around 1770.

10. The Golden Flower



Golden rose by Minuccio da Siena (1330), a papal award presented by Pope John XXII to Rudolf III von Nidau, Count of Neuchâtel. From the treasury of Basel Cathedral.

11. Empress's Accessory



Empress Maria Feodorovna's folding fan, decorated with lilies of the valley. The fan is made of wood and silk, and the carved and painted elements reproduce the flowers and leaves of the plant with exquisite precision. 1870-1890, housed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

12. Openwork Weapons



Dagger with an openwork blade and a carved ivory handle decorated with images of Hindu deities. Madurai, India, 1600–1645.

13. "Battle Claws"



Archaeologists discovered 1,500-year-old "battle claws" in 2014 in an ancient burial site in Peru. The artifacts were found among other copper objects, which scientists believe indicate the burial of a nobleman. They were presumably part of a costume used in a battle ritual.

14. Distinctive Mark



The "Dunstable Swan" brooch is a livery badge likely awarded by the future King of England, Henry V, to his supporters. Circa 1400. British Museum.

15. Surgeon's Kit



Amputation kit in a wooden case, including saws, scalpels, and a tourniquet. Scotland, circa 1750–1800.

16. Floral Decoration



Pear. Iran, 19th century. Steel with gold inlay. Exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

17. Child's Armor



Children's field armor belonging to the scion of a noble family. Kept in the Royal Armouries (1600–1649).