A SUMERIAN PALE STONE FIGURE OF A VULTURE, crouching over its prey, a small bird which it holds in its hooked beak, both eyes inlaid, talons, wing and tail feathers indictated by incision, pierced vertically with a wide cylindrical hole, chips, Late Uruk/Jemdet Nasr period, 3300-2900 B.C. | Christie's

Lot 176

176

A SUMERIAN PALE STONE FIGURE OF A VULTURE, crouching over its prey, a small bird which it holds in its hooked beak, both eyes inlaid, talons, wing and tail feathers indictated by incision, pierced vertically with a wide cylindrical hole, chips, Late Uruk/Jemdet Nasr period, 3300-2900 B.C.

Details

A SUMERIAN PALE STONE FIGURE OF A VULTURE, crouching over its prey, a small bird which it holds in its hooked beak, both eyes inlaid, talons, wing and tail feathers indictated by incision, pierced vertically with a wide cylindrical hole, chips, Late Uruk/Jemdet Nasr period, 3300-2900 B.C.
3 1/8in. (8cm.) long

Lot Essay

This method of treating the vulture in an attitude of preying on its carrion is a favourite subject of the Jemdet Nasr animal cutters

More from Antiquities

View All

View All