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 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 Culture(s) collection brings together miniature masterpieces from 99 cultures across the five continents, spanning nearly 10,000 years of human history—from the 8th millennium BCE to the early 20th century.
These works are small-scale representations of humans and animals, averaging 8 cm in size.
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:
Culture(s) is thus an advocacy tool to remind our societies of the importance of cultural diversity and youth.
To convey these messages, this collection is intended to travel internationally, meeting young people with limited access to knowledge, so that they can build the world of tomorrow based on these values.
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The descriptions of the artworks are based on our best knowledge as of the date of this publication, following consultations 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 (possibly America)
Unknown period (pre-17th century)
Pierre
H: 2.2 cm
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 hair between her teeth
Mexico, Michoacán culture
400 to 100 BC
Terracotta, pigment
H: 10.5 cm
Pin surmounted by a character
Peru, Inca culture
1400 to 1521 A.D.
Silver
H: 14.4 cm
Statuette representing a pregnant woman
Mexico, State of Guerrero, Mezcala culture
300 to 100 BC
Metadiorite
H: 16.4 cm
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, Guanacaste culture
0 to 500 A.D.
Pierre
H: 14.3 cm
Idol
Mexico, Teotihuacán culture
250 to 450 A.D.
Serpentine
H: 10.9 cm
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, Jama-Coaque culture
500 B.C. to 500 A.D.
Ceramics, pigments
H: 4.5 cm
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, 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, Calima culture
100 B.C. to 800 A.D.
Gold
H: 3.2 cm
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, 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, Midwest region, Hopewell culture
100 to 400 A.D.
Pierre
L: 8.9 cm
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, Chupicuaro culture
400 to 100 BC
Terracotta, pigment
H: 4.4 cm
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 raven and two bears
Canada, British Columbia, Northwest Coast, Haida culture
Around 1900
Argillite, bone
L: 22.5 cm
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, Chavín culture
600 to 300 BC
Stone, chrysocolla, lapis lazuli, spondylus
H: 6.7 cm
Statuette head
Mexico, Las Bocas, Olmec culture
1200 to 900 BC
Terracotta
H: 3.9 cm
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, Mochica culture
100 B.C. to 800 A.D.
Gold
H: 3.3 cm
Shamanic amulet representing a male figure
Russia, North Caucasus, Republic of Dagestan
XIth century
Bronze
H: 5.1 cm
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, Ural, Finno-Ugric culture
Around the 8th century
Bronze
H: 6.5 cm
Netsuké, belt clip representing the mask of the Hannya demon
Japan
18th century
Wood, brass, silver
H: 4.7 cm
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, Baluchistan, Mehrgarh (Indus Valley civilization)
2600 to 1900 BC
Fine clay
H: 11.1 cm
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 (Kingdom of Siam)
Nineteenth century
Ivory, bronze
H: 13.8 cm
Kiliya idol head
Anatolia
3300 to 2500 BC
Marble
H: 4.8 cm
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
Figurine of the deity Prajnaparamita holding the Sutra book and a lotus
Cambodia, Khmer culture
10th to 13th century
Bronze
H :17,7 cm
Animal mask of taotie
China
4th to 3rd century B.C.
Copper alloy
H: 4.5 cm
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, Canaanite culture
Early 2nd millennium B.C.
Copper alloy
H: 17.6 cm
Pinnacle topped by a reclining ibex
Iran or nearby (Achaemenid Empire)
6th to 4th centuries B.C.
Gold
H: 1.9 cm
Amulet depicting an animal head
Syria or Anatolia
End of the eighth millennium BC
Pierre
H: 5.2 cm
Figurine depicting a mouflon
Central Asia (region of Bactria)
Early 2nd millennium B.C.
Copper alloy
H: 10.1 cm
Statuette of a bearded figure
Syria or Jordan
5th or 4th millennium B.C.
Basalt
H: 9.9 cm
Character head
South Arabia
Late 1st millennium B.C.
Pierre
H: 6.4 cm
Khôl bottle representing a rooster
Iran (Ghaznevid Empire)
10th to 13th century
Soapstone
H: 4.3 cm
Buddha statuette
Sri Lanka
18th century
Ivory
H: 12.8 cm
Pendant-amulet representing the god Pazuzu
Mesopotamia (Assyrian or Babylonian Empire)
800 to 550 BC
Hematite
H: 2.4 cm
Cylindrical seal engraved with a scene of mythological combat
Mesopotamia (Akkadian Empire)
2350 to 2200 B.C.
Diorite
H: 3.4 cm
Head of a female figurine
Asia Minor (Myrina workshop)
3rd to 2nd century B.C.
Terracotta, traces of white slip and color
H: 5.4 cm
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 as a musician carrying a dove
Middle East
3rd to 2nd century B.C.
Gold
H: 2.7 cm
Earring depicting the Makara, a mythical animal
Indonesia, Java Island
10th century
Gold
H: 4.2 cm
Amulet representing a feline
Burma, Irrawaddy basin, Pyu culture
6th century
Rock crystal
H: 1.9 cm
Bird amulet
China, Hongshan culture
4700 to 2900 B.C.
Jade
H: 4.2 cm
Snow Lion plaque
Tibet
17th or 18th century
Gilded bronze
H: 4 cm
Mask of a figure for shamanic use
Russia, Siberia
3rd to 1st century B.C.
Bronze
H: 4.7 cm
Pendant-amulet depicting a guru holding the Lontar book
Indonesia, island of Java (Majapahit Indo-Javanese Kingdom)
13th century
Gold
H: 4.5 cm
Applique depicting the bust of a woman
Middle East (Roman Empire)
1st to 3rd century A.D.
Glass paste
H: 2.6 cm
Seal depicting a reclining bull
Mesopotamia
3000 to 2400 BC
Pierre
H: 4.4 cm
Seal depicting a bird of prey
Mesopotamia
3500 to 2800 B.C.
Pierre
L: 7.1 cm
Ceremonial betel staff surmounted by a figure
Solomon Islands
Around 1900
Wood, shell
H: 21.9 cm
Tip of a ceremonial parulaig arrow decorated with a figure
Torres Strait Islands
Nineteenth century
Wood, resin, fiber
H: 43.1 cm
Yam mask depicting a bird’s head
Papua New Guinea, Maprik district, Abelam culture
Around 1900
Basketwork, pigments
H: 10.2 cm
Marupaï amulet depicting 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, Milne Bay, Massim culture
Around 1900
Wood
H: 26.8 cm
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 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
Nineteenth century
Bones
H: 5.4 cm
Applique depicting the head of a woman in profile
Western Europe (Roman Empire)
Third century
Bronze
H: 2.4 cm
Stopper in the form of a woman’s head
Italy, Etruscan civilization
5th century BC
Bronze
H: 5.4 cm
Statuette representing a praying figure
Iberian Peninsula, Celtiberian culture
4th to 3rd century B.C.
Bronze
H: 6.6 cm
Pendant in the form of a warrior holding a francisca and a sword
Europe, Viking peoples
Eighth to tenth century
Golden silver
H: 4 cm
Pendant of a figure holding a horn
Europe, Viking peoples
Eighth to tenth century
Golden silver
H: 3.1 cm
Boar ornament
Central Europe, Celtic culture
1st century B.C. to 1st century A.D.
Bronze
H: 5.1 cm
Medallion depicting a boar hunt
Central Europe (Roman Empire)
2nd century
Bronze
H: 5.4 cm
Child’s ring depicting the flying god Eros holding a vegetal crown
Greece
4th to 3rd century B.C.
Gold
H: 1.5 cm
Jewel representing a duck
Spain, Tartessian culture
7th to 6th centuries B.C.
Gold
H: 1.2 cm
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