Plaque fragments with a bearded male dignitary carrying a young goat
Unknown Artist
ca. 9th century BCE
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
3.5 x 1.3 x 0.43 in. (8.89 x 3.3 x 1.09 cm)
Classification
Ivory/Bone-Reliefs
Culture & Period
Iran · Iron Age II, Hasanlu Period IV
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1965
Accession Number
65.163.4a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite set of ivory plaque fragments, dating to around the 9th century BCE, captures a bearded male dignitary cradling a young goat in his arms. Carved with remarkable precision for their tiny size—measuring just 3.5 x 1.3 x 0.43 inches—these reliefs showcase the dignitary's dignified face and flowing beard, highlighting masterful ancient techniques in low-relief carving. Ivory, a prized luxury material sourced from elephants or hippopotamuses, was reserved for elite objects like furniture inlays or boxes, underscoring the status of its owner. Hailing from Iron Age II in Iran, specifi...