The profile of the animal is unmistakable as a rodent.The lateral and vertical perspectives of the skull show a notable massive cavity from the jaw to the apex of the head, and a wide yet tapering vertical profile from the small, semi-round ears to the end of the snout. The nose is simply yet effectively rendered with two round-oval nostrils and a narrow septum, overhanging an open mouth with curled tongue. The mouth is marked at the corners with long, dagger-like canines; no other teeth are present. The eyes are simple and naturalistic, and are not schematic nor stylized in the manner of Horus or Anubis. The surface of the stone is very carefully worked, and the marks of the tools are still visible over the head. Interestingly, the head fades away to rougher, less well-defined stone that acts like a pedestal for the finer carving above. The base, likewise, is unfinished and rough, with the marks of rough hewing with a large tool clearly visible over the whole surface. Central Asian Stone Sculpture of an Animal's Head - LO.1401Origin: Central Asia Circa: 1500 BC to 900 BC Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high x 4.75" (12.1cm) wide x 5.25" (13.3cm) depth Collection:Central Asian Antiquities Medium: Stone

Antiquities
Ancient Asian