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Ivory inlay fragments of a giraffe
Nubian
Classic Kerma
about 1700–1550 B.C.
Findspot: Nubia (Sudan), Kerma, K1096
Medium/Technique
Ivory
Dimensions
Height x width x depth: 7 x 2.2 x 0.6 cm (2 3/4 x 7/8 x 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number20.1342
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsFurniture
DescriptionThese five fragments of an ivory inlay piece originally depicted a giraffe. The complete piece would have adorned a wooden fixture such as a funerary bed. Much of the figure has broken away and is missing. Remaining fragments are the head, some of the neck, body, and upper legs. Some fragments are still embedded in the mud used to attach them to the original fixture. They are also coated with wax, which was used in the excavation process. For several similar inlays from the same tomb see objects 20.1336-20.1342.
ProvenanceFrom Nubia (Sudan), Kerma, Southern cemetery, KX, grave K1096. March 1914: Excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of Sudan.
(Accession Date: March 1, 1920)
(Accession Date: March 1, 1920)