Not currently on display at the V&A

A Couchant Lion

Figure
3238 BC-2720 BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Egypt (made)

This Egyptian figure is from the Early Dynastic Period, which includes the First and the Second Dynasties and is made of carved elephant ivory.

This object, representing a recumbant lion, was excavated by the Egypt Exploration fund during the 1902-03 excavation season at the Temple of Abydos.
It was probably made as a chess piece.


Object details

Categories
Games
Sculpture
Entertainment & Leisure
Archaeology
Africa
Object type
Figure
TitleA Couchant Lion (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved elephant ivory
Elephant Ivory
Carving
Brief description
Figure, gaming piece of a lion, carved ivory, Egypt, 1st dynasty (3238-2720 BC)
Physical description
Figure of a recumbant lion on a low, narrow plinth.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6cm
  • Length: 10cm
Style
Early Dynastic Period
Object history
This object was excavted by the Egypt Exploration fund during the 1902-03 excavation season at the Temple of Abydos.
Dated to the First Dynasty (Early Dynastic Period).
Given by the Egypt Exploration Fund.

Historical significance: This object was probably made as a chess piece.
Subject depicted
Lion
Summary
This Egyptian figure is from the Early Dynastic Period, which includes the First and the Second Dynasties and is made of carved elephant ivory.

This object, representing a recumbant lion, was excavated by the Egypt Exploration fund during the 1902-03 excavation season at the Temple of Abydos.
It was probably made as a chess piece.
Bibliographic references
  • Flinders Petrie, WM. Abydos. Pt. II, 1903, Pl. III, p.24
  • Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 222
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part I. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1927, p. 15
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
1305-1903

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Record createdSeptember 17, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O84343/a-couchant-lion-figure-unknown/
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