Vulture with spread wings
Unknown Artist
664–30 B.C.
Medium
Bronze or cupreous alloy
Dimensions
h. 6.7 cm (2 5/8 in.) × w. 9.1 cm (3 9/16 in.)
Classification
Attachment, vulture
Period
Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Darius Ogden Mills, 1904
Accession Number
04.2.662
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the poised elegance of *Vulture with Spread Wings a diminutive yet dynamic bronze or cupreous alloy figur from ancient Egypt's Late Period to Ptolemaic era (664–30 B.C.). Measuring just 6.7 cm high and 9.1 cm wide, this unknown artist's work captures the bird in a dramatic spread-wing pose, suggesting flight or vigilant display. Crafted from a copper-based alloy, typical for durable small-scale sculptures, it exemplifies the period's advanced lost-wax casting techniques, allowing intricate details in feathers and form. In Egyptian art, birds like the vulture held profound cultural reso...