This furry tea service was a touchstone for Surrealism, but the artist was a victim of her own success. Meret Oppenheim, Object (Fur-covered cup, saucer, and ... by Josh R. Rose, Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Multiple points of view are combined in the decoration of this vessel, tip it and see! Feline-Head Bottle by Dr. Sarahh Scher and Dr. Steven Zucker
The Yup’ik peoples, in one of the world’s coldest climates, made these ceremonial masks during the long winters. North Wind Mask by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
“I have gazed into the face of Agamemnon,” boasted the man who discovered it—but is it really the Homeric hero? Mask of Agamemnon by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
With her open mouth, tilted head, and soft flesh, Io exudes sensuality, giving herself up willingly to Jupiter. Correggio, Jupiter and Io by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Dalí’s forms are mirrored and doubled in this disconcerting painting, made in a state of “paranoiac critical activity.” Salvador Dalí, Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
We don’t know what the makers of this figure called her, but we can tell that she is at once human and animal. Doe Shaman Effigy by Dr. Sarahh Scher
Skin transforms into bark, limbs sprout branches, and stone softens into flesh. What a perfect subject for Bernini. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Apollo and Daphne by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
The artist transforms metal from alcohol bottles into textiles that represent libations for ancestors. El Anatsui, Untitled by Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Steven Zucker
The Mende initiation rite for young women is the only known masquerade tradition where the mask-wearers are female. Bundu / Sowei Helmet Mask (Mende peoples) by Dr. Peri Klemm, Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Christa Clarke
The austere display of this powerful object masks the complexity of its original context. Elephant Mask (Bamileke Peoples) by Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Steven Zucker
This was buried in an offering at an Aztec temple, some 1500 years later and far from where it was made. Olmec mask (offering 20 from the Templo ... by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Steven Zucker
Though we lack an understanding of its use or cultural context, this turtle-shell mask was certainly precious. Mask (Buk), Torres Strait, Mabuiag Island by Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Beth Harris
Man Ray takes a common household object and renders it strange, dysfunctional, and dangerous. Man Ray, The Gift by Josh R. Rose
Picasso loved the magic of illusionism—but here, he shatters it. Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Described by Clark as a “non object,” Bicho can take many shapes, and is manipulated by the viewer. Lygia Clark, Bicho by Dr. Maya Jiménez
Wearers can toggle between the faces of animals and mythical beings—all with the tug of a string. Transformation masks by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
This nearly 2000-year-old old textile survives thanks to the arid environment of southern Peru where it was buried. The Paracas Textile by Lois Martin
Why is there a ghoulish skeleton on the reverse of this almost life-size sculpture? Huastec: Life-Death Figure by Dr. Rex Koontz