Artwork Page for Spearing Fish

Details / Information for Spearing Fish

Spearing Fish

c. 667–647 BCE

Egypt, Late period (715–332 BCE), Dynasties 25–26

Medium
limestone
Measurements
Overall: 26.4 x 25.8 cm (10 3/8 x 10 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Hanna Fund 1949.499
Public Domain
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Location
107 Egyptian
Print

Description

The spearing of fish against a conventionalized background of water--a classic subject of the painted reliefs found in tombs of the Pyramid Age. The papyrus thicket shown in the background is represented growing in perfect symmetry quite unlike the tangled riot of vegetation typical of the growing plant. Probably an exact copy of a detail of Dynasty V at Saqqara. It is likely that this relief comes from the same composition as 1949.498.
A limestone sculpture fragment features two fish swimming right, pierced by two thin poles entering from the upper left. The scene is set against vertical papyrus stalks with flared flowers and closed buds, retaining muted reddish-brown paint on the gills and fins. Faint blue pigment fills a curved area representing water. The stone slab is weathered with jagged, broken edges at the top and bottom, revealing a light gray texture.

Spearing Fish

c. 667–647 BCE

Egypt, Late period (715–332 BCE), Dynasties 25–26

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