Palette – zoomorphic, Barbary sheep PAL-0011
By Droux, Xavier
Archaeological site unknown.
Before 1909 : collection A.F. Pagnon. Until 2004 : collection L. Mildenberg. 2004 : sold by Christie's London.Collection unknown, (private collection?).
Date : Naqada IIC–D
General date of type pal_bov_1b, see Droux (2019).
Material : Greywacke
Preservation : Intact
Description
This palette is shaped as a Barbary-sheep. It has an ovoid, elongated shape, and the animal is shown in a recumbent position, with the head protruding directly from the body. A small hole is drilled through the back, likely for attaching a string or thong. Several discrepancies with other examples of the same type call into question the authenticity of the piece.
Decoration
The head is quite detailed, but the quality of execution is not as high as for other examples of this type. The horns curve around the back of the head and toward the front, their tip connecting to the jaw line; they lack the characteristic bosses. The two ears appear as large, rather approximate shapes taking most of the space within the crescent of the horns. A pierced hole or depression is filled with a preserved pierced disc of ostrich (?) eggshell. The mouth does not seem to be indicated. The chest mane appears as a projection at the front of the palette, the hair not indicated by incisions. Both legs are folded under the body, with careful details of the hooves, and the shape of the front and back thighs are carved on the surface of the palette, which is unusual. A short tail is indicated at the back by small incisions.
Dimensions (cm)
9.7
15.5
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).
