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Amulet in the Form of an Elephant’s Head

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Pre-Dynastic, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
MEDIUM Ivory, frit
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 3500–3100 B.C.E.
    PERIOD Predynastic Period, Naqada II to Naqada III Period
    DIMENSIONS 1 15/16 x 1 7/8 in. (4.9 x 4.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 35.1270
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented; before 1934, acquired by the Scheurleer Museum, the Hague, the Netherlands; 1935, purchased from the Scheurleer Museum by the Fondation Egyptologique Reine Elisabeth; 1935, purchased from the Fondation Egyptologique Reine Elisabeth by the Brooklyn Museum.
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    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Ivory head of a cow, probably used as an amulet as the back is bored for suspension. The eyes are very round and are inlaid with a dark material. The two horns curve around and end in delicate points on the face. The face is highly stylized. The ivory has taken as a deep brown tone. Condition: The right horn is missing. There is a crack on the center of the face.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Pre-Dynastic, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Amulet in the Form of an Elephant’s Head, ca. 3500–3100 B.C.E. Ivory, frit, 1 15/16 x 1 7/8 in. (4.9 x 4.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1270. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.1270_front_PS6.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 35.1270_front_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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