Achaemenid. <em>Vessel Handle in Form of Ibex</em>, ca. 410 B.C.E. Silver, Height 6 9/16in. (16.7cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 54.50.41. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 54.50.41_left_PS2.jpg)

Achaemenid. Vessel Handle in Form of Ibex, ca. 410 B.C.E. Silver, Height 6 9/16in. (16.7cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 54.50.41. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 54.50.41_left_PS2.jpg)

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Are these tools?

They are actually handles from a vessel. They're in the form of an Ibex with legs folded under the body, and horns attached at the ears.

One thing I find especially interesting is that they represent a the popularity of Persian styles at this time. This was a result of the Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 CE.

Vessel Handle in Form of Ibex

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

The Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 B.C.E. led to a vogue for metalwork in the Persian style, such as these animal-shaped handles and fluted bowls with floral decorations on the base. All of these objects were discovered in Egypt; the silver pieces were discovered together with a large number of objects as an offering at a temple of a foreign goddess.

CULTURE Achaemenid

MEDIUM Silver

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Reportedly from: Iran
Place found: Tell el-Maskhuta, Egypt

DATES ca. 410 B.C.E.

DYNASTY late Dynasty 27

PERIOD Achaemenid Period

DIMENSIONS Height 6 9/16in. (16.7cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 54.50.41

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Silver handle from a large vessel. Form, a bounding Ibex with front legs folded under body; horns in the round with tips attached to ears. Lower end of handle terminates in palmette (lotus?). Cast, with hollow channel through handle and opening at each end. Possibly related to 54.50.39. Condition: Right horn mostly lost as is right ear. Otherwise excellent condition. Surface had been extensively cleaned before object was received in Brooklyn. Condition: Right horn mostly lost as is right ear. Otherwise excellent condition. No certain traces of an original attachment to vessel could be detected.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view on the 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Achaemenid. Vessel Handle in Form of Ibex, ca. 410 B.C.E. Silver, Height 6 9/16in. (16.7cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 54.50.41. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 54.50.41_left_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE left, 54.50.41_left_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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