Assegai engraved with Pyrenean ibex drawings
Grotte des Eyzies, Les Eyzies, Dordogne, France
Antler
Length: 15.1 cms
The British Museum
Palart.100
It is relatively unusual for spear tips to be engraved with figurative representations and this bevel based example with a tip damaged in ancient times is an exceptional piece. It has deeply engraved drawings of ibex facing towards the tip on both sides. They are conceived and position to utilise the cylindrical form of the antler point. Although their legs are not completely shown it is clear from the backward extension of the rear flanks as well as the raised tails that the animals are running and/or leaping. The hairiness of their coats is indicated by fine shading lines. Their mouths nostrils and eyes are lightly engraved by comparison with the confidently drawn body outlines. There is a three pointed symbol between the horns of the two ibex at the back just above the base that is roughened by incised lines to provide a friction grip when fitted into the spear shaft.
Close