Plaque depicting a falcon, probably the god Horus

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Object Details

Label

Thin, rectangular plaques made of limestone, carved on one or both sides with figures in low relief, have often been interpreted as sculptors' models. They would have furnished patterns for artists to imitate, thus ensuring that the images or hieroglyphs carved on a tomb or temple wall would appear uniform in style and consistent in details even when executed by artisans trained in different workshops.

The quality of carving on these plaques varies considerably, suggesting that some may have served as trial pieces for artisans practicing their skills. Still others may have functioned instead as votive objects offered in a temple by worshipers, with the carved image depicting the deity to whom they were dedicated.

Provenance

To 1909

Maurice Nahman (1868-1948), Cairo, Egypt, to 1909 [1]

From 1909 to 1919

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Maurice Nahman in 1909 [2]

From 1920

Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Reserved Miscellaneous List, R. 5632, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt (January 28, 2023 to 2025)

Falcons: The Art of the Hunt (January 15 to July 17, 2022)

Charles Lang Freer and Egypt (June 13, 1998 to October 2, 2011)

Previous custodian or owner

Maurice Nahman (1868-1948) (C.L. Freer source)

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

Credit Line

Gift of Charles Lang Freer

Date

664-525 BCE or later

Period

Saite Dynasty 26 or later

Accession Number

F1909.374

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry and Ornament

Medium

Limestone

Dimensions

H x W x D: 17.9 x 18.8 x 3.6 cm (7 1/16 x 7 3/8 x 1 7/16 in)

Origin

Egypt

On View

West Building (Freer Gallery of Art), Gallery 20: A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt

Related Online Resources

Google Arts & Culture

See more items in

National Museum of Asian Art

Data Source

National Museum of Asian Art

Topic

stone

falcon

Saite Dynasty 26 (664 - 525 BCE)

Egypt

Horus

Ancient Egyptian Art

Charles Lang Freer collection

Metadata Usage