Stone vessel – zoomorphic, frog STO-0008
By Glenister, Jacob
Archaeological site unknown.
Before 1984 : European private collection. 11.12.2009 : Acquired at sale Christie’s, New York, Antiquities, item no. 6.Geneva, Fondation Gandur pour l'Art, FGA-ARCH-EG-0346.
Date : Naqada IID
Material : Serpentine
Preservation : Complete
Decoration preservation : Very good
Description
Seated frog-shaped vessel made of a yellow and black speckled stone. Rather round in overall shape with a well-defined and realistically-shaped head. The lug handles are located on the side of the vessel, about 2/3 of the way up. The rim has no lip but sits flat on the animal's back. The frog sits on its legs, with the front legs folded in front of it and the back legs crouched.
Decoration
The front and back legs are carved and both stick out from the main body with detailed incised decoration (e.g. the top and bottom portions of the back legs are clearly separated). The nose is round-shaped and well defined. The eyes are carved, rather than drilled, and were not intended to be inlaid. The eyebrow ridges are sharp and well-defined, going some distance back from the eyes to the back of the head of the vessel.
Dimensions (cm)
2.8
6.3
7.75
Additional information
Closed
flat base
on four feet
Outside