ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Byzantine Stone Bird Figure, Presumably Coptic, 4th-7th Century AD

Headless stone bird sculpture of a dove or pigeon. Folded wings narrowing back to the bird’s tail, cursorily incised details to render the feathers.

The stump underneath to indicate the joined legs or the connection to a lost pedestal.

For Coptic a terracotta example, cf. item LDUCE-UC65394 in the Petrie Museum database.

For a Byzantine metal example on top of a conical foot, cf. item no. 1881,0719.68 in the British Museum database.

L. 15 cm (5.9 in), H. 9.7 cm (3.8 in), H. with stand 19 cm (7.5 in)

Nice fragment, head lost. Surface wear, schematic and irregular treatment. On an old pedestal base.

Ex private collection of Robert Feuer, New York, acquired 1970s-1980s. Thence Arte Primitivo, New York, August 2021 sale.

420 USD