Relief plaque with male figure on one side and a bird on the other

Unknown

ca. 400–30 B.C. · Limestone · Egyptian Art

Small Late Period and Ptolemaic reliefs or sculptures that depict a subject in a partial or unfinished way but are themselves complete objects constitute a special class of objects. These objects, sometimes called "sculptor's models/votives" by Egyptologists, were the material of a donation practice, perhaps connected with these centuries’ prolific temple building. Unfortunately, there is little to illuminate us about the mechanics of such a donation practice. This example depicts a male in a kilt on one side, and a bird—probably a falcon—whose feathers are finely carved on the other.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 400–30 B.C.

Medium

Limestone

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020