Sculpted horse head

Sculpted horse head

Duruthy, Landas, Francia

Limestone
Length: 7.1 cms
Musée archéologique d’Arthous, Hastingues
950902 79.1.1

The contours of this horse head are formed by the sculpted volumes of the soft, greenish-white limestone. The mane, forelock and laid back ears are shown in relief with the hairs of the mane indicated by vertical incisions. The eyes are also shown in relief emphasised by incised lines around their edges. The nostrils have ben hollowed out and the lips are shown drawn back exposing the front teeth as if the animal was neighing. Below the chin a slight beard is sculpted in relief and embellished by incisions to suggest the hairs.

This work is perforated for suspension as a pendant. The suspension hole was drilled from both sides so that internally it has an hourglass shape. On both sides a wear facet on the edge of the perforation, indicates that the head hung upside down and the wearer would have had to hold it up between the fingers to see the realistic portrait.

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