SculptureSumerian4th-3rd millennium BCE

Fragmentary Figurine of a Calf

3200-2900 BCE

Description

Only the front part survives of this reclining calf or young bull. The animal is represented with its legs tucked under the body; the tip of the tail is indicated on its right side. Despite its greater relative size, the features of this animal are modeled a little more cursorily than on [ADD acc. no.] The eyes are hollowed for inlays, and the tips of the horns are missing. A hole (diameter 0.15 cm) is drilled horizontally through the back of the figurine, allowing it to be worn as an amulet.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Carved

Medium

Limestone

Culture

Sumerian

Period

Uruk period

Century

4th-3rd millennium BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

3.5 × 2 × 4.3 cm (1 3/8 × 13/16 × 1 11/16 in.)

Provenance

Mary Mitchell (Mrs. Chauncy J.) Blair, Chicago and Chambésy, Geneva (by 1932). [Charles D. Kelekian, New York (by 1952-1982)], by descent; to [Kelekian Associates, New York (1982-1992)], by descent; to Nanette Rodney Kelekian, New York (1992-2021), bequest; to the Harvard Art Museums. NOTE: "Kelekian Associates" was formed at the death of Charles D. Kelekian by Nanette Rodney Kelekian and her mother Beatrice Kelekian. Upon Beatrice Kelekian’s death in 1992, ownership passed to Nanette Rodney Kelekian.