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Idol Collection (page 6)

From Hollywood heartthrobs to ancient deities, idols have captivated us throughout history

Background imageIdol Collection: Darien Pectoral (cast gold)

Darien Pectoral (cast gold)
BAL8533 Darien Pectoral (cast gold) by Pre-Columbian; Museo del Oro, Bogota, Colombia; South American, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: Cycladic Figurine, Naxos, c. 3000-2000 BC (marble)

Cycladic Figurine, Naxos, c. 3000-2000 BC (marble)
AMQ115739 Cycladic Figurine, Naxos, c.3000-2000 BC (marble) by Greek; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK; eAshmolean Museum; Greek, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: Head of a Cycladic figure, Amorgos, c. 2000 BC (marble)

Head of a Cycladic figure, Amorgos, c. 2000 BC (marble)
AMQ115729 Head of a Cycladic figure, Amorgos, c.2000 BC (marble) by Greek; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK; (add.info.: for profile see: 115754; ); eAshmolean Museum; Greek

Background imageIdol Collection: Illustration of various scenes from one of the Psalms, from the Utrecht Psalter

Illustration of various scenes from one of the Psalms, from the Utrecht Psalter
XIR85504 Illustration of various scenes from one of the Psalms, from the Utrecht Psalter, copy of original from Reims now in Utrecht University Library (pen & ink) (b/w photo)

Background imageIdol Collection: Marquesas Islands artifacts, c. 1844 (pencil on paper)

Marquesas Islands artifacts, c. 1844 (pencil on paper)
MGS149622 Marquesas Islands artifacts, c.1844 (pencil on paper) by Duchamp, Leon (19th century); 23x29.4 cm; Private Collection; eMichael Graham-Stewart; French, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: Dia-Butsu (b / w photo)

Dia-Butsu (b / w photo)
5212571 Dia-Butsu (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dia-Butsu. Illustration for Sights and Scenes of the World)

Background imageIdol Collection: Tahitian Idol, The Goddess Hina, 1894-95 (wood-block print)

Tahitian Idol, The Goddess Hina, 1894-95 (wood-block print)
3500005 Tahitian Idol, The Goddess Hina, 1894-95 (wood-block print) by Gauguin, Paul (1848-1903); 14.8x11.9 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Background imageIdol Collection: Fete de Gots-Tennoo, La chasse de l idole a la mer (engraving)

Fete de Gots-Tennoo, La chasse de l idole a la mer (engraving)
2790088 Fete de Gots-Tennoo, La chasse de l idole a la mer (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fete de Gots-Tennoo, La chasse de l idole a la mer)

Background imageIdol Collection: Un Voyageur Portugais Du XVIe Siecle (engraving)

Un Voyageur Portugais Du XVIe Siecle (engraving)
2789206 Un Voyageur Portugais Du XVIe Siecle (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Un Voyageur Portugais Du XVIe Siecle)

Background imageIdol Collection: Le Voyage Du Prince Wiazemsky En Asie (engraving)

Le Voyage Du Prince Wiazemsky En Asie (engraving)
2789178 Le Voyage Du Prince Wiazemsky En Asie (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le Voyage Du Prince Wiazemsky En Asie)

Background imageIdol Collection: Temple bell at Nikko, Japan (chromolitho)

Temple bell at Nikko, Japan (chromolitho)
2788735 Temple bell at Nikko, Japan (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Temple bell at Nikko, Japan)

Background imageIdol Collection: Les Abstinents Modernes (engraving)

Les Abstinents Modernes (engraving)
2783334 Les Abstinents Modernes (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Les Abstinents Modernes)

Background imageIdol Collection: Legend of the Royal Axe (engraving)

Legend of the Royal Axe (engraving)
3100758 Legend of the Royal Axe (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Legend of the Royal Axe)

Background imageIdol Collection: Psi figure, c. 1300-1200 BC (terracotta) (see also 3126448)

Psi figure, c. 1300-1200 BC (terracotta) (see also 3126448)
3126447 Psi figure, c.1300-1200 BC (terracotta) (see also 3126448) by Mycenaean, (13th century BC); height: 12.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: standing female figure with upraised arms)

Background imageIdol Collection: PD. 19-1950 Satan Tempts Christ with the Kingdoms of Earth from Miltons

PD. 19-1950 Satan Tempts Christ with the Kingdoms of Earth from Miltons
FIT77538 PD.19-1950 Satan Tempts Christ with the Kingdoms of Earth from Miltons Paradise Regained, Book III lines 251-426, c.1816-18 (pen and ink, grey wash and w/c on paper) by Blake

Background imageIdol Collection: King Josiah cleansing the land of idols

King Josiah cleansing the land of idols
LLM338895 King Josiah cleansing the land of idols by Hole, William Brassey (1846-1917); Private Collection; (add.info.: King Josiah cleansing the land of idols)

Background imageIdol Collection: Figurine of a fertility goddess and the mould from which it was cast, c

Figurine of a fertility goddess and the mould from which it was cast, c
BLP398259 Figurine of a fertility goddess and the mould from which it was cast, c.8th- 7th century BC (clay) by Bronze Age (2000-600 BC); Private Collection; (add.info.: From Tel Batash)

Background imageIdol Collection: Neptune of the Chinese, illustration from The World

Neptune of the Chinese, illustration from The World
DGC398031 Neptune of the Chinese, illustration from The World: or the present State of the Universe, being a General and Complete Collection of Modern Voyages and Travels, by Cavendish Pelham

Background imageIdol Collection: Figurine of Asherah, Canaanite, 999-600 BC (clay)

Figurine of Asherah, Canaanite, 999-600 BC (clay)
BLP397804 Figurine of Asherah, Canaanite, 999-600 BC (clay) by Bronze Age (2000-600 BC); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ashtoreth, Ashera)

Background imageIdol Collection: A maker of idols is never an idolater, 1932 (colour litho)

A maker of idols is never an idolater, 1932 (colour litho)
473429 A maker of idols is never an idolater, 1932 (colour litho) by Bull, Rene(1872-1942); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageIdol Collection: Lizard, from Colombia (gold)

Lizard, from Colombia (gold)
XBP229223 Lizard, from Colombia (gold) by Pre-Columbian; length: 13.6 cm; Private Collection; Photo eBoltin Picture Library; South American, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: Gold Ornaments from the Graves of the Incas of Peru, Lady Brasseys Collection (engraving)

Gold Ornaments from the Graves of the Incas of Peru, Lady Brasseys Collection (engraving)
1107158 Gold Ornaments from the Graves of the Incas of Peru, Lady Brasseys Collection (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageIdol Collection: Idols of the Caribbeans (colour engraving)

Idols of the Caribbeans (colour engraving)
STC109048 Idols of the Caribbeans (colour engraving) by Raineri, Vittorio (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: Double axehead and two figurines from Knossos, late Minoan, c

Double axehead and two figurines from Knossos, late Minoan, c
AMQ133330 Double axehead and two figurines from Knossos, late Minoan, c.1500 BC (from L to R bronze, terracotta and bronze) (see also 419819) by Minoan; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Background imageIdol Collection: Cycladic Figurine, Naxos, c. 3000-2000 BC (marble)

Cycladic Figurine, Naxos, c. 3000-2000 BC (marble)
AMQ115744 Cycladic Figurine, Naxos, c.3000-2000 BC (marble) by Greek; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK; eAshmolean Museum; Greek, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: God with a torque and a wild boar, from Euffingneix (limestone)

God with a torque and a wild boar, from Euffingneix (limestone)
XIR169512 God with a torque and a wild boar, from Euffingneix (limestone) by Gallo-Roman; Musee des Antiquites Nationales, St

Background imageIdol Collection: Obsequio a el maestro (A Gift for the Master), plate 47 of Los Caprichos

Obsequio a el maestro (A Gift for the Master), plate 47 of Los Caprichos
CHT163085 Obsequio a el maestro (A Gift for the Master), plate 47 of Los Caprichos, original edition, late 18th century (colour engraving) by Goya y Lucientes

Background imageIdol Collection: The Toledo Bible Moralisee f. 7v (vellum)

The Toledo Bible Moralisee f. 7v (vellum)
XJL187584 The Toledo Bible Moralisee f.7v (vellum) by Spanish School, (11th century); Toledo Cathedral, Castilla y Leon, Spain; (add.info.: Christ driving tradesmen from the temple; ); Spanish

Background imageIdol Collection: The False God

The False God
DRE72850 The False God by Wontner, William Clark (1857-1930) (attr.); 76.2x63.5 cm; Private Collection; eDreweatt Neate Fine Art Auctioneers, Newbury, Berks, UK; English, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: The worship of the Golden Calf (colour litho)

The worship of the Golden Calf (colour litho)
5226846 The worship of the Golden Calf (colour litho) by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio of Urbino) (1483-1520) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageIdol Collection: Page 35 Three native idols, 1768-75 (w / c)

Page 35 Three native idols, 1768-75 (w / c)
5670300 Page 35 Three native idols, 1768-75 (w/c) by Hodges, William (1744-97); Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales; (add.info.: Original Sketches, Drawings)

Background imageIdol Collection: The New Comic Opera at the Savoy Theatre (engraving)

The New Comic Opera at the Savoy Theatre (engraving)
1591677 The New Comic Opera at the Savoy Theatre (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The New Comic Opera at the Savoy Theatre)

Background imageIdol Collection: The Burmese 'Priests'and Mr Barnums Elephant at the Zoological Gardens (engraving)

The Burmese "Priests"and Mr Barnums Elephant at the Zoological Gardens (engraving)
1061430 The Burmese " Priests" and Mr Barnums Elephant at the Zoological Gardens (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageIdol Collection: The ceiling of the Constantine Room: the Fall of the idols

The ceiling of the Constantine Room: the Fall of the idols
991693 The ceiling of the Constantine Room: the Fall of the idols and the triumph of Christianity, 1582 (fresco) by Laureti, Tommaso (c.1530-1602); Italian, out of copyright

Background imageIdol Collection: Festival figure: Vishnu, 17th century (wood and paint)

Festival figure: Vishnu, 17th century (wood and paint)
1067562 Festival figure: Vishnu, 17th century (wood and paint) by Indian School, (17th century); 238.8x74.9x18.4 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; gift of Mr. and Mrs

Background imageIdol Collection: Gobelins tapestry known as Summer or The Feasts of Ceres (textile)

Gobelins tapestry known as Summer or The Feasts of Ceres (textile)
931408 Gobelins tapestry known as Summer or The Feasts of Ceres (textile) by French School, (18th century); 235x305 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageIdol Collection: A Brahmin anointing an Idol with Oil, Ezekiel, vi, 13 (engraving)

A Brahmin anointing an Idol with Oil, Ezekiel, vi, 13 (engraving)
959706 A Brahmin anointing an Idol with Oil, Ezekiel, vi, 13 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Brahmin anointing an Idol with Oil, Ezekiel, vi, 13)

Background imageIdol Collection: 'The Worship of the Golden Calf', 1880 (colour litho)

"The Worship of the Golden Calf", 1880 (colour litho)
1078642 " The Worship of the Golden Calf", 1880 (colour litho) by Keppler, Joseph (1838-94); Collection of the New-York Historical Society

Background imageIdol Collection: The Modern Moloch! or, A View of Society for 1870 (colour litho)

The Modern Moloch! or, A View of Society for 1870 (colour litho)
3648291 The Modern Moloch! or, A View of Society for 1870 (colour litho) by Morgan, Matthew " Matt" Somerville (1839-90); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Modern Moloch)

Background imageIdol Collection: Becky shatters Amelias idol (colour litho)

Becky shatters Amelias idol (colour litho)
3628259 Becky shatters Amelias idol (colour litho) by Crombie, Charles (fl.1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: Becky shatters Amelias idol)

Background imageIdol Collection: A patesi or priest-king worshipping Ningirsu, god of Lagash in southern Babylonia

A patesi or priest-king worshipping Ningirsu, god of Lagash in southern Babylonia
3614177 A patesi or priest-king worshipping Ningirsu, god of Lagash in southern Babylonia, from Hutchinsons History of the Nations, pub.1915 by English School

Background imageIdol Collection: Elijah and the Priests of Baal, detail, 1863 (stained glass)

Elijah and the Priests of Baal, detail, 1863 (stained glass)
3474765 Elijah and the Priests of Baal, detail, 1863 (stained glass) by Burne-Jones, Edward Coley (1833-98); St Michael, Lyndhurst, UK; (add.info.: Manufactured by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co)

Background imageIdol Collection: Psi type female idol, Tau type female idol, and model of a throne

Psi type female idol, Tau type female idol, and model of a throne
3126444 Psi type female idol, Tau type female idol, and model of a throne, 1400-1200 BC (terracotta) by Mycenaean; Private Collection; (add.info.: Left)

Background imageIdol Collection: Le Royaume Des Eaux (engraving)

Le Royaume Des Eaux (engraving)
2789113 Le Royaume Des Eaux (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le Royaume Des Eaux. Illustration for Journal Des Voyages, 20 December 1885)




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From Hollywood heartthrobs to ancient deities, idols have captivated us throughout history. On the Tatler cover, Ronald Colman and his Sealyham Terrier exude an idol-like aura of charm and elegance. Meanwhile, the Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island stands tall as a symbol of devotion in Hong Kong's Po Lin Monastery. In the world of entertainment, Rudolph Valentino was hailed as a silent film idol whose smoldering looks melted hearts worldwide. And even centuries ago, a man with a glass in hand captured in Cycladic Art became an enigmatic idol frozen in time. Traveling to India's Kumortuli reveals small bells that adorn idols crafted by skilled artisans in Kolkata, showcasing their dedication to religious traditions. In Mexico's Aztec civilization, human sacrifices were offered to appease the sun-god—an unsettling reminder of how far people would go for their beliefs. Literature too has its share of idols; Bardelys The Magnificent tells tales of charismatic heroes who become legends. Yet not all they are fictional; missionaries like those shown in 1837 sought to challenge China's worship practices and redefine what it meant to be an idolater. Throughout history, figures like Charlemagne and Baal held immense power over civilizations as gods or rulers—idols worshipped or feared by many. Even closer to home at Sandringham estate lies an Indian Idol amidst the grounds—a testament to cultural exchange and appreciation. Lastly, we encounter Vitzliputzli (Huitzilopochtli), a Mexican deity whose name echoes through time—an idol revered by ancient civilizations for protection and strength. Whether they inspire adoration or controversy, these diverse idols remind us of humanity's eternal quest for something greater than ourselves.