Head of Sheep(?)
Unknown Artist
early 12th century
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
1 1/4 x 1 1/4 in. (3.2 x 3.2 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Central Asia
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1930
Accession Number
30.32.67
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian collection, this petite terracotta *Head of Sheep(?)*—measuring just 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 inches—offers a glimpse into the artistry of early 12th-century Central Asia. Crafted by an unknown artist its compact form suggests it may have been part of a larger sculptural ensemble, an amulet, or a votive object, highlighting the region's tradition of small-scale figurative works. Central Asia during this period was a vibrant crossroads of the Silk Road blending influences from nomadic steppe cultures, Persian artistry, and Islamic traditions. Animal motif...