OUR COLLECTIONS

Culture(s)

As part of humanity's heritage, and because of their aesthetic, historical and sociological interest, the administration of the Culture(s) and Regards oubliés d'enfants du monde collections has been entrusted to the Fondation Donnadieu by their owner, Ludovic Donnadieu. The aim of this initiative is to share these works with as many people as possible, particularly young people and their families, in order to promote the values espoused by the Foundation.

The collection Culture(s) collection brings together antique masterpieces in miniature from 99 cultures on 5 continents, spanning almost 10,000 years of human history, from the 8th millennium BC to the early 20th century. These works are small-scale human and animal representations (on average 8 cm).


They have been legally and passionately collected over the past twenty years by Ludovic Donnadieu from some fifty specialized galleries and auction rooms in a dozen countries. They constitute a unique work, an ode to cultural diversity and childhood.

The scope of the collection is twofold: 

  • in a world tending towards uniformity and identitarian withdrawal, celebrate the variety and richness of the world's cultures, bringing them together without compartmentalization.
  • in a world attached to the monumental, highlight the greatness of the "small"and the need to protect the fragile.

Culture(s) is a plea to remind our societies of the importance of cultural diversity and youth.
To convey these messages, this collection is destined to travel internationally, meeting young people with little access to knowledge, so that they can build tomorrow's world on these values.

World map
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CONTINENT

Europe

‍Thedescriptions of the works are based on our best knowledge at the date of this edition, after consultation with experts.

Inlay element showing a face in profile

Egypt (New Kingdom, 19th dynasty)

1296 to 1186 B.C.

Siliceous earthenware

H: 2.5 cm

Amulet depicting an elephant-like figure

Mali, Nok culture

1st to 5th centuries A.D.

Terracotta

H: 5.4 cm

Statuette representing a rodent

Sahara

6th to 4th millennium B.C.

Basalt

L: 7.6 cm

Statuette representing a character

Tanzania, Zigua culture

Around 1900

Wood, glass beads

H: 13.5 cm

Statuette depicting a female figure with a scarified belly

Republic of Congo, Bembé culture

Around 1900

Wood, brass

H: 14.2 cm

Anyedos amulet representing a character

Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso, Koulango culture

Nineteenth century

Bronze

H: 4 cm

Falcon amulet

Egypt, Nagada culture

4th millennium BC

Turquoise, gold, carnelian

H: 3 cm

Ring depicting a horseman carrying a sword and shield

Mali, Dogon culture

19th century or earlier

Bronze

H: 7.6 cm

Muswinga amulet depicting a female figure

Gabon, Punu-Lumbo culture

Around 1900

Wood

H: 8.9 cm

Ikhoko amulet representing a Muyombo mask

Democratic Republic of Congo, Pendé culture

Around 1900

Bones

H: 5.8 cm

Divination statuette representing a figure

Burkina Faso, Toussian culture or close

Around 1900

Copper alloy

H: 11 cm

Hairpin surmounted by a female figure

Tanzania, Kwéré culture

Around 1900

Wood

H: 28 cm

Pipe bowl depicting a figure wearing boots

South Africa, Nguni culture

Around 1900

Wood, metal, glass beads

H: 15.8 cm

Snake amulet

Burkina-Faso, Gan culture

19th century or earlier

Bronze

H: 6.4 cm

Medicine box surmounted by the head of a figure with a scarified face

Mozambique, Mueda plateau, Makonde culture

Around 1900

Wood, horn

H: 16.5 cm

Bust of the Serapis god Pantheos with ram's horns and uraeus sun disk

Egypt (Roman production, Ptolemaic style)

1st to 3rd A.D.

Bronze

H: 8.8 cm

Cosmetic bottle element representing an Ibex head

Egypt (New Kingdom, 18th dynasty)

1390 to 1353 B.C.

Egyptian blue (glass frit)

H: 2.8 cm

Gold weighing weight depicting a rider holding a spear

Ghana, Akan culture

18th or 19th century

Bronze

H: 5.4 cm

Mask ring

Ivory Coast, Yaouré culture

Around 1900

Coconut

H: 1.2 cm

Amulet representing a male figure

Democratic Republic of Congo, Yaka culture

Around 1900

Wood

H: 5.5 cm

Hairpin surmounted by a round of figures

Democratic Republic of Congo, Vili culture

Nineteenth century

Ivory

H: 23.6 cm

Character mask

Ivory Coast, Baule culture

Nineteenth century

Bronze

H: 5.4 cm

Jewel representing a human head, Origin unknown

Jewel representing a human head

Origin unknown (possibly America)

Unknown period (pre-17th century)

Pierre

H: 2.2 cm

Poporo statuette representing a deity holding a ceremonial accessory, Peru

Poporo statuette representing a deity holding a ceremonial accessory

Peru, Chimú culture

1100 to 1450 A.D.

Wood, spondyl

H: 16.6 cm

Statuette of a pregnant woman holding her braids between her teeth, Mexico

Statuette of a pregnant woman holding her hair between her teeth

Mexico, Michoacán culture

400 to 100 BC

Terracotta, pigment

H: 10.5 cm

Pin surmounted by a figure, Peru

Pin surmounted by a character

Peru, Inca culture

1400 to 1521 A.D.

Silver

H: 14.4 cm

Statuette of a pregnant woman, Mexico

Statuette representing a pregnant woman

Mexico, State of Guerrero, Mezcala culture

300 to 100 BC

Metadiorite

H: 16.4 cm

Statuette of a female figure, Mexico

Statuette representing a female figure

Mexico, Guerrero State, Xalitla, Xochipala culture

1200 to 600 B.C.

Ceramic, pigment

H: 11.9 cm

Axe-pendant representing a divinity with jaguar-like features, Costa Rica

Axe-pendant representing a divinity with jaguar-like features

Costa Rica, Guanacaste culture

0 to 500 A.D.

Pierre

H: 14.3 cm

Idol, Mexico

Idol

Mexico, Teotihuacán culture

250 to 450 A.D.

Serpentine

H: 10.9 cm

Amulet representing the god Zemi, Greater Antilles

Amulet representing the god Zemi

Greater Antilles, Taïno culture

1000 to 1500 A.D.

Pierre

H: 3.6 cm

Head of a statuette representing a dignitary, Ecuador

Head of a statuette representing a dignitary

Ecuador, Jama-Coaque culture

500 B.C. to 500 A.D.

Ceramics, pigments

H: 4.5 cm

Statuette of a female figure, Mexico

Statuette representing a female figure

Mexico, Tlatilco culture

Terracotta, pigment

1200 to 900 BC

H: 9.5 cm

Birdstone statuette evoking a bird, United States

Birdstone statuette evoking a bird

United States, Ohio, archaic cultures Great Lakes Mound Builders

1000 to 500 BC

Pierre

L: 7.6 cm

Pendant depicting a dignitary adorned with ceremonial ornaments, Colombia,

Pendant depicting a dignitary adorned with ceremonial ornaments

Colombia, Calima culture

100 B.C. to 800 A.D.

Gold

H: 3.2 cm

Statuette of a male figure, United States

Statuette representing a male figure

United States, Alaska, Inuit culture

Around 1900

Cetacean bone

H: 13.6 cm

Statuette of a high priest or dignitary adorned with ceremonial ornaments, Mexico

Statuette of a high priest or dignitary adorned with ceremonial ornaments

Mexico, island of Jaina, Maya culture

600 to 900 A.D.

Terracotta, Mayan blue pigment

H: 18.1 cm

Pipe bowl depicting a frog, United States

Pipe bowl depicting a frog

United States, Midwest region, Hopewell culture

100 to 400 A.D.

Pierre

L: 8.9 cm

Pipe bowl evoking a horse, United States

Pipe stove evoking a horse

United States, Great Plains region, Sioux culture

Around 1900

Catlinitis

L: 22.7 cm

Statuette of a high priest or dignitary adorned with ceremonial ornaments, Mexico

Statuette of a high priest or dignitary adorned with ceremonial ornaments

Mexico, Chupicuaro culture

400 to 100 BC

Terracotta, pigment

H: 4.4 cm

Bear-headed shaman amulet pendant, Canada

Bear-headed shaman amulet pendant

Canada, British Columbia, Northwest Coast, Tlingit culture

Nineteenth century

Antler, shell

H: 9.3 cm

Pipe bowl depicting a human head, a crow and two bears, Canada

Pipe bowl depicting a human head, a raven and two bears

Canada, British Columbia, Northwest Coast, Haida culture

Around 1900

Argillite, bone

L: 22.5 cm

Bison fetish, United States

Bison fetish

United States, Taos Pueblo, Taos culture

Around 1900

Pierre

H: 2.9 cm

Earring depicting a warrior with a jaguar's mouth, Peru

Earring depicting a warrior with a jaguar's mouth

Peru, Chavín culture

600 to 300 BC

Stone, chrysocolla, lapis lazuli, spondylus

H: 6.7 cm

Head statuette, Mexico

Statuette head

Mexico, Las Bocas, Olmec culture

1200 to 900 BC

Terracotta

H: 3.9 cm

Adorno jewel representing a figure, Mexico

Adorno jewel representing a character

Mexico, Colima culture

100 B.C. to 250 A.D.

Shell

H: 4.4 cm

Necklace bead representing a human head, Peru

Necklace bead representing a human head

Peru, Mochica culture

100 B.C. to 800 A.D.

Gold

H: 3.3 cm

Shamanic amulet representing a male figure

Shamanic amulet representing a male figure

Russia, North Caucasus, Republic of Dagestan

XIth century

Bronze

H: 5.1 cm

Figure statuette, Transcaucasia

Statuette representing a character

Transcaucasia

Late 1st millennium B.C. to early 1st millennium A.D.

Bronze

H: 9.1 cm

Shamanic plaque depicting a bird of prey conveying a spirit Russia, Urals

Shamanic plaque depicting a bird of prey conveying a spirit

Russia, Ural, Finno-Ugric culture

Around the 8th century

Bronze

H: 6.5 cm

Netsuke, belt clip representing the Hannya demon mask, Japan

Netsuké, belt clip representing the mask of the Hannya demon

Japan

18th century

Wood, brass, silver

H: 4.7 cm

A kris sword handle depicting a character from the Barong theater, Indonesia

kris sword handle depicting a Barong theater character

Indonesia, island of Bali

19th century or earlier

Wood, gilded copper, semi-precious stones

H: 9.4 cm

Female idol, Pakistan

Female idol

Pakistan, Baluchistan, Mehrgarh (Indus Valley civilization)

2600 to 1900 BC

Fine clay

H: 11.1 cm

Bear head ornament, Central Asia

Bear head ornament

Central Asia, Scythian culture

4th to 2nd centuries BC

Gilded bronze

H: 2.4 cm

Statuette representing the deity Kuman Thong, Thailand

Statuette representing the deity Kuman Thong

Thailand (Kingdom of Siam)

Nineteenth century

Ivory, bronze

H: 13.8 cm

Kiliya idol head, Anatolia

Kiliya idol head

Anatolia

3300 to 2500 BC

Marble

H: 4.8 cm

Inlay depicting a servant or orant, Iraq or Near East

Inlay element representing a servant or an orant

Iraq or Near East (Neo-Babylonian Empire)

626 to 539 B.C.

Lapis lazuli

H: 4.6 cm

Statuette of the deity Prajnaparamita holding the Sutra book and a lotus flower, Cambodia

Statuette of the deity Prajnaparamita holding the Sutra book and a lotus flower

Cambodia, Khmer culture

10th to 13th centuries

Bronze

H :17,7 cm

Taotie animal mask, China

Taotie animal mask

China

4th to 3rd century B.C.

Copper alloy

H: 4.5 cm

Gau prayer box depicting the deities Green Tara and Manjushri, Nepal

Gau prayer box representing the deities Green Tara and Manjushri

Nepal, Kathmandu Valley

Nineteenth century

Vermeil, coral, semi-precious stones

H: 7.9 cm

Female idol, Lebanon

Female idol

Lebanon, Canaanite culture

Early 2nd millennium B.C.

Copper alloy

H: 17.6 cm

Pinnacle topped by a reclining ibex, Iran or nearby

Pinnacle topped by a reclining ibex

Iran or nearby (Achaemenid Empire)

6th to 4th centuries B.C.

Gold

H: 1.9 cm

Animal head amulet, Syria or Anatolia

Animal head amulet

Syria or Anatolia

Late 8th millennium B.C.

Pierre

H: 5.2 cm

Statuette of a mouflon sheep, Central Asia

Statuette of a mouflon sheep

Central Asia (Bactria region)

Early 2nd millennium B.C.

Copper alloy

H: 10.1 cm

Statuette of a bearded figure, Syria or Jordan

Statuette of a bearded figure

Syria or Jordan

5th or 4th millennium B.C.

Basalt

H: 9.9 cm

Character head, South Arabia

Character head

South Arabia

Late 1st millennium B.C.

Pierre

H: 6.4 cm

Khol bottle depicting a rooster, Iran

Khôl bottle representing a rooster

Iran (Ghaznevid Empire)

10th to 13th centuries

Soapstone

H: 4.3 cm

Buddha statue, Sri Lanka

Buddha statuette

Sri Lanka

18th century

Ivory

H: 12.8 cm

Pendant-amulet representing the god Pazuzu, Mesopotamia

Pendant-amulet representing the god Pazuzu

Mesopotamia (Assyrian or Babylonian Empire)

800 to 550 BC

Hematite

H: 2.4 cm

Cylinder seal engraved with a mythological battle scene, Mesopotamia

Cylinder seal engraved with a mythological battle scene

Mesopotamia (Akkadian Empire)

2350 to 2200 B.C.

Diorite

H: 3.4 cm

Female statuette head, Asia Minor

Female statuette head

Asia Minor (Myrina workshop)

3rd to 2nd century B.C.

Terracotta, traces of white slip and polychromy

H: 5.4 cm

Medallion depicting the god Eros and the goddess Aphrodite on a lion, Syria or nearby

Medallion depicting the god Eros and the goddess Aphrodite on a lion

Syria or nearby

300 to 200 BC

Gold

H: 3.3 cm

Jewel representing the god Eros the musician carrying a dove, Near East

Jewel representing the god Eros the musician carrying a dove

Middle East

3rd to 2nd century B.C.

Gold

H: 2.7 cm

Earring representing the mythological animal creature makara, Indonesia

Earring representing the mythological animal creature makara

Indonesia, Java Island

10th century

Gold

H: 4.2 cm

Cat amulet, Burma

Amulet representing a feline

Burma, Irrawaddy basin, Pyu culture

6th century

Rock crystal

H: 1.9 cm

Bird amulet, China

Bird amulet

China, Hongshan culture

4700 to 2900 B.C.

Jade

H: 4.2 cm

Plaque depicting the Snow Lion, Tibet

Snow Lion plaque

Tibet

17th or 18th century

Gilded bronze

H: 4 cm

Shamanic mask, Russia

Character mask for shamanic use

Russia, Siberia

3rd to 1st century B.C.

Bronze

H: 4.7 cm

Pendant-amulet representing a guru holding the book lontar, Indonesia

Amulet pendant depicting a guru holding the book lontar

Indonesia, island of Java (Majapahit Indo-Javanese Kingdom)

13th century

Gold

H: 4.5 cm

Wall lamp representing a woman's bust, Middle East

Wall lamp representing a woman's bust

Middle East (Roman Empire)

1st to 3rd century A.D.

Glass paste

H: 2.6 cm

Seal depicting a reclining bull, Mesopotamia

Seal depicting a reclining bull

Mesopotamia

3000 to 2400 BC

Pierre

H: 4.4 cm

Seal depicting a bird of prey, Mesopotamia

Seal depicting a bird of prey

Mesopotamia

3500 to 2800 B.C.

Pierre

L: 7.1 cm

Ceremonial betel stick surmounted by a figure, Solomon Islands

Ceremonial betel stick surmounted by a figure

Solomon Islands

Around 1900

Wood, shell

H: 21.9 cm

Parulaig ceremonial arrowhead decorated with a figure, Torres Strait Islands

Parulaig ceremonial arrowhead decorated with a figure

Torres Strait Islands

Nineteenth century

Wood, resin, fiber

H: 43.1 cm

Diminutive yam mask depicting a bird's head, Papua New Guinea

Diminutive yam mask depicting a bird's head

Papua New Guinea, Maprik district, Abelam culture

Around 1900

Basketry, pigments

H: 10.2 cm

Marupai animal head amulet, Papua New Guinea

Marupaï amulet representing an animal head

Papua New Guinea, Gulf of Papua, Elema culture

Around 1900

Coconut, lime

L: 9.3 cm

Lime spatula surmounted by a figure, Papua New Guinea

Lime spatula surmounted by a figure

Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay, Massim culture

Around 1900

Wood

H: 26.8 cm

Ceremonial sago spoon decorated with human and/or animal facies, Papua New Guinea

Ceremonial sago spoon decorated with human and/or animal facies

Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, Iatmul culture

Around 1900

Coconut

H: 11.5 cm

Ceremonial object with the head of a mythological tiki figure, New Zealand

Ceremonial object with head of a tiki mythological figure

New Zealand, Gisborne district, Maori culture

Nineteenth century

Wood, haliotis mother-of-pearl

H: 8.6 cm

Ivi po'o ornament representing a mythological tiki character, Marquesas Islands

Ivi po'o ornament representing a mythological tiki character

Marquesas Islands

Nineteenth century

Bones

H: 5.4 cm

Wall lamp depicting a woman's head in profile, Western Europe

Wall lamp depicting a woman's head in profile
Western Europe (Roman Empire)
3rd century
Bronze
H: 2.4 cm

Stopper depicting a woman's head, Italy

Stopper depicting a woman's head

Italy, Etruscan civilization

5th century BC

Bronze

H: 5.4 cm

Orant statuette, Iberian Peninsula

Statuette representing an orant

Iberian Peninsula, Celtiberian culture

4th to 3rd century B.C.

Bronze

H: 6.6 cm

Pendant depicting a warrior holding an axe and a sword, Europe

Pendant depicting a warrior holding a francisque and a sword

Europe, Viking peoples

8th to 10th centuries

Golden silver

H: 4 cm

Pendant depicting a figure holding a horn, Europe

Pendant depicting a figure holding a horn

Europe, Vikings

8th to 10th centuries

Golden silver

H: 3.1 cm

Boar ornament, Central Europe

Boar ornament

Central Europe, Celtic culture

1st century B.C. to 1st century A.D.

Bronze

H: 5.1 cm

Medallion depicting a boar hunting scene, Central Europe

Medallion depicting a wild boar hunting scene

Central Europe (Roman Empire)

2nd century

Bronze

H: 5.4 cm

Child's ring depicting the flying god Eros holding a plant crown, Greece

Child's ring depicting the flying god Eros holding a plant crown

Greece

4th to 3rd century B.C.

Gold

H: 1.5 cm

Jewel representing a duck, Spain

Jewel representing a duck

Spain, Tartessian culture

7th to 6th centuries B.C.

Gold

H: 1.2 cm

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