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Head from a Statue of a Lion

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
From earliest times, the lion symbolized the power of the Egyptian king. A sculptor carved this image at a time when kings buried lions near their tombs, to demonstrate the monarch’s ability to control a wild animal known for its strength and ferocity. Whether this sculpture came from a tomb or a temple, it captures the essence of that fierce beast.
MEDIUM Pegmatite
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
DATES ca. 3300–3100 B.C.E.
DYNASTY early Dynasty 1, or earlier
PERIOD Predynastic Period to Early Dynastic Period
DIMENSIONS 9 3/4 x 7 7/8 x 12 13/16 in., 42 lb. (24.8 x 20 x 32.5 cm, 19.05kg)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 73.26
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One head of a lion cub in black and white granite broken from the body at the neck. Most of left side of neck remains. Break appears ancient. Top of muzzle worn smooth. Both ears chipped. Nose on right side chipped. Several areas around muzzle chipped.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION Head from a Statue of a Lion, ca. 3300–3100 B.C.E. Pegmatite, 9 3/4 x 7 7/8 x 12 13/16 in., 42 lb. (24.8 x 20 x 32.5 cm, 19.05kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 73.26. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.26_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 73.26_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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