Historical
Early Italian furniture
During the early Renaissance period (up to around 1500) wealthy Italians paid little attention to how their homes were furnished. They were far more interested in the works of art and statuary that they had commissioned; after all, if you had paid a considerable sum of money to have a fresco painted across your living room wall you would not then order large pieces of furniture that obscured it!
By John Welford5 years ago in FYI
The many lives of Gautama Buddha in 18th and 19th century manuscripts
Illustrated Buddhist manuscripts from mainland Southeast Asia are famous for their lavish and often very detailed depictions of scenes from the Life of Buddha and the Buddha’s Birth Tales, known as Jatakas. Although most of these manuscripts date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, their illustrations are based on much older Pali texts originating from Sri Lanka in the first century BCE. The outstanding beauty of these manuscript paintings results from the depiction of the natural environment in which the main character – the historical Buddha – is placed, highlighting the close relationship the Buddha had with nature and all sentient beings.
By vishal rathuor 5 years ago in FYI
The Resilience of Qutub Minar
There are several reasons why the 72.5-metre-high Qutub Minar has come to be known as Delhi’s enduring symbol. It is the world’s tallest brick tower and one of the finest specimens of Islamic craftsmanship as well. Situated in a lush green complex of monuments and ruins in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, formerly called Qila Rai Pithora, this UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts around three million visitors annually. Indeed, very much like the city it symbolises, the Qutub Minar has not only stood the test of time for over 800 years but also weathered several design changes, repairs and reconstructions, lightning and earthquakes—even preservation efforts.
By pradeep mishra 5 years ago in FYI
Introduction to Badrinath Temple
The word ‘Badrinath’ comes from the word ‘Badri’ (a place where berries grow). Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Badri Narayan, this shrine is one among 108 Divya Desams – holy shrines for Vaishnavites. The temple is situated in Garhwal hill tracks of Chamoli District (Uttarakhand, India) along the banks of Alaknanda River. Located at 3,133 m (10,279 ft) above sea level, this shrine is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers of the country. The temple is open for worship for only 6 months a year (End of April till beginning of November), due to extreme weather conditions prevailing in the Himalayas. Best time to visit the shrine is May to June and September to October.
By pradeep mishra 5 years ago in FYI
Plumbing Inventions
PLUMBING INVENTIONS Necessity is the mother of invention. Whether it’s due to health reasons, avoiding distasteful chores, or keeping one’s mind occupied, many of the plumbing inventions we take for granted today have some pretty interesting origin stories. And, believe it or not, not a single one of these inventors started out working in plumbing.
By John Limbo5 years ago in FYI
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau (French for “New Art”) was a movement that flourished at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It was a conscious rejection of the accepted values of the time and sought to unite all the decorative arts, including architecture and interior design, in making a new stride forward.
By John Welford5 years ago in FYI
Elizabeth of York
By marrying Henry VII, Elizabeth of York helped to unite two families and end “The Wars if the Roses.” She was mother to Henry VIII and grandmother to Elizabeth I and, with her husband, started the Tudor Dynasty. This Queen of England is sometimes overlooked, but Elizabeth of York played an important role in English history.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff5 years ago in FYI
For the Love of Hot Tubs
I love hot tubs. Like, a lot. Absurdly much. I live in near-constant craving of hot bubbly water. When I'm searching for an Airbnb, I check the box next to "hot tub" under the amenities category, on the off chance that my location will have one. When booking a hotel, I check the pictures to see if they have a pool and spa. I'll live if my travel plans don't involve a hot tub, but it's always infinitely better when they do.
By Sarahmarie Specht-Bird5 years ago in FYI
Crazy Medical Practices Doctors Thought Made Sense!
In our time of modern medicine, it is easy to look back at past medical practices with disgust and fascination. This collection of medical-related photographs from the past will show us how remarkable the human body is and how medicine has improved over time.
By Ms. Thomas5 years ago in FYI
