ticketsMember | Make a donation

Model of the foreleg of a horned animal, perhaps from a foundation deposit

New Kingdom
ca. 1400–1295 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 119
The smoothed edges on this foreleg of an ox indicate that it is not a fragment from an animal figure, but a complete three-dimensional object in its own right. In fact, this master-piece of wood carving is a miniature representation of a khepesh, the most important meat offering that ancient Egyptians presented to the gods and the deceased.

The khepesh played a role in the foundation ceremonies of temples during which real joints of meat and ritual objects were placed in pits at significant points around the perimeter of the sacred building. From at least Dyansty 19, however, small khepesh models became part of foundation deposits. The elongated shape and delicate rendering of this khepesh suggest a date in the second half of Dynasty 18, when the art of animal representation was at its peak. This piece may be an earlier use of a model khepesh, or it served some other purpose.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Model of the foreleg of a horned animal, perhaps from a foundation deposit
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Date: ca. 1400–1295 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Wood; remains of black pigment
  • Dimensions: L. 12.7 cm (5 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2006
  • Object Number: 2006.16
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Model Sailing Boat Transporting a Mummy, Wood, paint
Model Sailing Boat Transporting a Mummy
ca. 1900–1885 B.C.
Model of a Porch and Garden, Wood, paint, copper
Model of a Porch and Garden
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Model of a Granary with Scribes, Wood, plaster, paint, linen, grain
Model of a Granary with Scribes
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Coffin of Ameny, wood, paint
Coffin of Ameny
ca. 1981–1802 B.C.
Coffin of Khnumnakht, Wood, paint
Coffin of Khnumnakht
ca. 1850–1750 B.C.

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.