Palette – zoomorphic, Barbary sheep PAL-0001
By Droux, Xavier
, Tomb 3073.
1929–1931 : British Museum Expedition excavation.Cairo, Egyptian Museum, JE 57425.
Date : Naqada I–IIB
General date of type pal_bov_1a, see Droux (2019).
Material : Greywacke
Preservation : Almost complete
Preservation information :
The muzzle is broken off at the level of the eyes. Chips on the edge of the back and backside.
Description
The palette is mostly ovoid in shape with added stylised zoomorphic details. The animal is shown standing, with its head raised, the top of the horns reaching slightly above the level of the back. A small hole is drilled through the back, likely for attaching a string or thong.
Decoration
The head, well-detailed and delicately carved, can be recognised as that of a Barbary sheep. It has strongly curved horns with bosses carved on the edge; a longitudinal, shallow groove slightly separates the right and left horns from one another. A large, circular hole drilled through the object gives the impression that the horns project away from the back of the head. The eyes are indicated by a much smaller hole, also drilled through the object. Below the horns, a triangular ear is carved out. The legs are represented by a simple, non-naturalistic rectangular projection under the body.
Dimensions (cm)
11.2
17.6
Additional information
pal_bov_1a
Comments
Palettes of shape-type pal_bov_1 are all carved in the shape of the Barbary sheep; sub-type 1a pre-dates sub-type 1b; see Droux (2019).
