Palette – zoomorphic, Barbary sheep PAL-0005

Details of the head include a depression for the eye, a notch for the mouth, and a well-detailed, leaf-shaped ear with small striations indicating the hair. A line, carved in relief, runs from the front of the eye toward the back of the jaw, passing just below the ear; it ends in a small loop. It is not easy to interpret this detail, which reminds one of the lines frequently seen on the heads of bulls, antelopes, hare, and lycaon depicted on late Predynastic decorated palettes (see Hendrickx et al. 2016). These lines may represent facial veins, here likely the V. maxillaris and the V. jugularis externa. The association to blood and blood circulation may symbolically represent the strength and power of the animal. It is possible, even likely, that the addition of this detail on this palette is to be considered as a precursor of the later artistic use of the veins in Naqada IIIA–B and that it had a similar meaning.

The horns curl toward the back, following the outline of the head, before turning back toward the chin; incised lines indicate the bosses. The chin is clearly separated from the neck. The chest mane of the animal is not indicated, but a short tail is marked by a small incision on the hindquarters. The legs are also well detailed, with the muscles neatly indicated in a manner that is also reminiscent of the art displayed on decorated palettes. The animal is depicted in a resting position, with its legs folded under its belly.