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Ostrakon

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Parallels from Egyptian tomb paintings suggest that the man depicted here is a fowler and the object he holds in his right hand is a bag filled with captured birds. The man is rendered in formal Egyptian drawing conventions: his form is outlined in black ink, and his skin color is shown as a single uniform hue. This treatment contrasts with the sketchy, informal drawing of the two birds above him.

MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 18 to Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 4 9/16 x 4 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (11.6 x 12.4 x 2.9 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 68.46.2
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CAPTION Ostrakon, ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 9/16 x 4 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (11.6 x 12.4 x 2.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 68.46.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.68.46.2_wwg8.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.68.46.2_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Ostrakon</em>, ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 9/16 x 4 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (11.6 x 12.4 x 2.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 68.46.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.68.46.2_wwg8.jpg)