Photo of collection object Hippopotamus Tusk with Carved Head
Hippopotamus Tusk with Carved Head, ca. 3800-3400 B.C.E.. Hippopotamus ivory, 8 5/8 × 1 5/16 in. (21.9 × 3.3 cm). Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1266. Creative Commons-BY.
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Museum

Hippopotamus Tusk with Carved Head

ca. 3800-3400 B.C.E.

Maker Unknown

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

This figure’s face includes a long beard and carved ears. The tip of the tusk resembles a tall cap and the lower part suggests a cloaked body, but no details are shown. A hole in the top indicates that the figure was suspended, but its use and meaning are not known.
Original Source
Maker/Artist
Maker Unknown
Classification
Sculpture
Formatted Medium
Hippopotamus ivory
Medium
hippopotamus, ivory
Locations
Reportedly from: Naqada, Egypt
Period
Predynastic Period, Naqada I-early Naqada II
Dimensions
8 5/8 × 1 5/16 in. (21.9 × 3.3 cm)
Departments
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Accession Number
35.1266
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Exhibitions
Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Egyptian Art
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Museum Location
Pre-Dynastic, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
Dominant Colors

Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?

Similar Artworks

musefully

Open source Elasticsearch & Next.js museum search.

Let's Stay Connected