Traditional Europe

The 'Lithophone': Lithophone, originally a prehistoric musical instrument made of stones. Sound stones made of basalt, granite, marble and other minerals were used in many ancient cultures for ceremonial and religious purposes. They exist in various forms around the globe, some for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest musical instruments on earth.

"Lemnian Athena", roman copy from the original sculpted by Fidias.

"Ingolf Arnarson takes possession of Iceland", by Johan Peter Raadsig (1850)

Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, erected by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great in 505 AD in Ravenna, Italy Originally dedicated to the Saviour and consecrated to the Arian cult, after the Byzantine Empire conquered the city (mid 6th century), the church was converted to the Orthodox religion. It was therefore dedicated to St. Martin, bishop of Tours, who stood out for the fight against the heretics. According to tradition, in the 9th century the remains of the holy founder of the church of Ravenna, St. Apollinaris, were transferred here from Classe. On this occasion, the church was definitely named after Apollinaris, but with the suffix “Nuovo” (new). Seen from the outside, the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo is architecturally quite simple, but inside, the basilica boasts one of the most famous Early Christian and Late Antique mosaic cycles in the world.

Napoleon and the bees According to Napoleon, the bee was found on the tomb of Clovis and thus a historic emblem Napoleon could use to make his monarchy seemed more rooted in the history of France than his appointment of Emperor by the Senate would seem to indicate. But Napoleon also loved the bee motif because it fit his vision of France: everyone contributing to the whole in their own roles. So he used it everywhere.

North side of the Cour Napoléon. Caryatid pair on the top left side of the Pavillon Richelieu, Louvre, Paris

"Dream Idyll A Valkyrie", Edward Robert Hughes, c. 1902.

Franz Stassen, (German 1869-1949), Ex libris Protection of German Intellectual Property, 1915