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Miniature Bull Finial

Culture Anatolian or Syrian
Title Miniature Bull Finial
Date 2300 BCE–1800 BCE
Medium Gold
Dimensions Weight: 0.03 lb.
Overall: 15/16 × 7/8 × 7/16 in. (2.4 × 2.3 × 1.2 cm)
Credit Line Gift of Dr. Leo Mildenberg in honor of Burton Y. Berry, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 2001.12

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About this Work

One of the oldest sculptures in the Eskenazi Museum of Art’s collection, this jewel-sized bull is also one of the smallest. Its elegant design simplifies bovine characteristics, but nevertheless incorporates remarkably naturalistic features. Bulls held important ritual significance in many ancient cultures and were especially popular in the region of Anatolia (modern Turkey). In many examples the head of the bull is enlarged for emphasis, but in this piece it is extraordinarily large. This may indicate, along with the tapering body and the small size, that this bull was designed as the finial for a large pin. If so, it was probably worn on a prestigious ceremonial garment.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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"Miniature Bull Finial | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2024. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=2001.12