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Staff

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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

The geometric designs on the upper part of this staff are made of stretched animal skin. The artisan varied the technique of applying the tissue to the staff. In some places the skin is overlaid directly on the wood; in others it is inlaid in minute cavities.

MEDIUM Wood, ebony, animal tissue
  • Possible Place Made: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1336–1295 B.C.E. or slightly earlier
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS Length: 25 11/16 in. (65.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 57.38
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Upper part of decorated staff made of unidentified, fine-grained light brown wood, surmounted by papyrus-shaped knob of ebony (?) which is of one piece with top register of decoration. Ornamentation partly inlay, partly overlay and done in animal tissue (?); at upper edge, two registers of zigzags enclosing line of circles and at base, registers of similar though smaller ornamentation. Intervening area decorated with six groups of bandings connected with continuous line of knots. Decorations are of exceptionally fine quality though almost lost to the naked eye. Condition: Incomplete. Small area of lower part stained with buff color. Slight crack in ebony knob.
    CAPTION Staff, ca. 1336–1295 B.C.E. or slightly earlier. Wood, ebony, animal tissue, Length: 25 11/16 in. (65.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 57.38. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.57.38_NegA_print_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.57.38_NegA_print_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Staff</em>, ca. 1336–1295 B.C.E. or slightly earlier. Wood, ebony, animal tissue, Length: 25 11/16 in. (65.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 57.38. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.57.38_NegA_print_bw.jpg)