Horned quadruped

Unknown

664–30 B.C. · Cupreous metal · Egyptian Art

A horned quadruped strides forward and is positioned on a thin rectangular plinth. The overall appearance of the body is reminiscent of contemporary Apis bull representations, but in contrast, this animal has long horns that sweep backwards with no crown in between. The quadruped wears a collar, which is marked by evenly-spaced incised lines around the neck. It could represent an antelope, a desert animal associated with forces of chaos. In some bronze representations, the antelope is identified with Seth and used as a foil to Horus, who is shown spearing the antelope (for example, 45.2.11).

Artist

Unknown

Date

664–30 B.C.

Medium

Cupreous metal

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910