Spoon with Animals

Description This miniature spoon with a double-curved end is decorated with a grazing boar on a plinth shown in relief. Over the bowl, a gazelle's head with large eyes is seen "en face" in relief. Spoons are common in the Predynastic period, but the figures carved on this piece are unusual. The animals may be related to the god Seth and the spoon may be some sort of medical-magical instrument.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters