Antelope, Late Period


Head of an Antelope
Dynasty 27; late Dynastic period, (ca. 525–404 BCE)
Greywacke, agate, Egyptian alabaster; H. 3 1/2 in. (9 cm)
Purchase, Rogers and Fletcher Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1992 (1992.55)

Description:
"This head of an antelope is a masterpiece of Late period animal sculpture. The sculptor carved the hard, fine-grained stone so skillfully that the animal's delicate bone structure is distinctly conveyed. The almond-shaped eyes have been inlaid with alabaster and banded agate, creating an especially alert and lifelike gaze. The horns, probably made of ivory or gilded wood, were once attached to the head with tenons."


This is museum photo showing where the horns would be attached.