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Model of a Bull

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

This linen model of a bull encloses a single bone, perhaps bovine. Votive mummies could contain only part of the animal. Often, elaborate wrappings seem to substitute for the animal itself.
MEDIUM Reeds, cloth, animal remains (one bone, species unclear)
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1075-332 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 21 to Dynasty 30
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period or Late Period
    DIMENSIONS 6 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 9 3/4 in. (17.1 × 7 × 24.8 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1381E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The object is a mummy in the form of a reclining bull. There appears to be an inner bundle set onto two parallel wooden sticks. An outer wrapping envelopes the inner bundle and the sticks. The linens wrappings are medium brown, with various coarseness and tightness of weave. The mummy contains a single bone (possibly bull). Condition: The mummy is extremely fragile. Although the form is still intact there are numerous loose, fraying and detached fragments. The horns are not upright but are securely attached. There are multiple layers of wrapping mostly wound vertically from the head to tail. Most of the outer wrappings, which appear to surround the inner form and the wooden supports, have been lost or are detached. The wooden supports are almost completely exposed on the back half of the mummy on both sides. There appears to be looser and coarser woven linen, but they are possibly unraveled strips of the same material.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Model of a Bull, ca. 1075-332 B.C.E. Reeds, cloth, animal remains (one bone, species unclear), 6 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 9 3/4 in. (17.1 × 7 × 24.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1381E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1381E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.1381E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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