Palette – zoomorphic, Barbary sheep PAL-0009
By Droux, Xavier
, Archaeological context unknown. 1894–1895 : William M.F. Petrie excavation. 1912 : donated by Jesse Haworth.Manchester, University Museum, 5402.
Date : Naqada IIC–D
General date of type pal_bov_1b, see Droux (2019).
Material : Greywacke
Preservation : Complete, repaired
Preservation information :
Repaired from several fragments. At least one eye inlay is lost, with the black (organic?) material used for fixing it in the depression still in place.
Description
This is a fairly large example of a palette shaped as a Barbary-sheep, with well-made details. It is mostly rounded in shape and the animal is shown is a recumbent position, the head protruding directly from the body. A small hole is drilled through the back, likely for attaching a string or thong.
Decoration
The recumbent Barbary sheep has a large, rounded silhouette. Its features are well detailed. The crescent-shaped horns curve around the back of the head and toward the front, almost touching the chin at the tip; the bosses are represented by a series of serrations. The ear is shown just below the base of the horn, while the eye is rendered by a pierced disc of (ostrich?) shell inlaid in a small depression. The chest mane is incised along the front edge as a series of small dashes. Both legs are folded under the body, with careful details of the hooves. A short tail is indicated at the back.
Dimensions (cm)
18
22
Additional information
pal_bov_1b
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).
