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Block with the Head of a Bull in Sunk Relief

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Place Excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1352–1332 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom, Amarna Period
    DIMENSIONS 9 x 5 1/8 x 11 13/16 in. (22.8 x 13 x 30 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 36.883
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone block with the head of a cow in sunk relief. The head is beautifully modeled with great freedom and suggests a strong Mycenaean influence. A cord runs to the cow's head from the right and on the upper right corner of the block there is part of some floral decoration also in sunken relief. Very slight traces of red paint on the background. The disk between the cow's horns is only a semicircle possibly indicating that the piece was never completed. The stone is unusually soft. Condition: There are minor chips on the cow’s face. The part including her horns and disk was apparently found separately and reattached.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Block with the Head of a Bull in Sunk Relief, ca. 1352–1332 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 9 x 5 1/8 x 11 13/16 in. (22.8 x 13 x 30 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 36.883. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.36.883_negA_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.36.883_negA_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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