Abraham Lincoln's Top HatOriginal Source: Division of Political History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
1. Abraham Lincoln's Hat
Standing seven inches tall in silk, Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat made a towering president impossible to miss. Beyond its bold style, it carried deep meaning: Lincoln added the wide band to mourn his son Willie, quietly mirroring a nation grieving the Civil War dead.
Tortuga azteca (1997) by Heriberto JuárezFundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla
2. Tortuga azteca
Heriberto Juárez’s Tortuga azteca (1997) is where crisp modern abstraction meets the ancient world. Cast in bronze with a radiant sun carved across its shell, the sculpture pairs Aztec symbolism with sleek cubist geometry—a stylish, grounded ode to Mexico’s past.
Jadeite Cabbage (Qing dynasty (1644-1911)) by UnknownNational Palace Museum
3. Jadeite Cabbage
Carved from a single piece of jadeite, the Qing-dynasty-era Jadeite Cabbage turns a humble bok choy into royal art. Look closely at the crinkled green leaves: nestled inside are a locust and katydid—traditional symbols of fertility, purity, and lively good fortune.
Teapot (1882) by James HadleyThe Baltimore Museum of Art
4. Teapot by James Hadley
This curious teapot is a satirical artwork mocking the Aesthetic movement of the late 1800s, whose ostentatious love of Oscar Wilde, tea, and all things Chinese was mocked in articles, poems, and plays of the era as an effeminate and foreign affectation.
Square Sandalwood Curio Box, Containing Thirty - Two Curios (Qianlong reign (1736), Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) - Qianlong reign (1795), Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)) by UnknownNational Palace Museum
5. Square Sandalwood Curio Box
Disguised as a plain sandalwood cube, this Qianlong-era treasure box is the ultimate royal puzzle. Unlatch it, and panels unfold like fan blades and spin like a windmill to reveal thirty-two tiny hidden trinkets—a masterclass in 18th-century imperial ingenuity.
Zaire (DRC) Mask (1860/1940) by UnknownKenya National Archives
If you're seeking more fascinating arts and culture from around the world, take a look at these weird and wonderful museums.
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