Bull's Head Pendant

Browse the collection

Culture Greek

Title Bull's Head Pendant

Date 300–200 BCE

Medium Gold

Dimensions Overall: 1 1/2 x 1 in. (3.8 x 2.6 cm)

Credit Line Burton Y. Berry Collection, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 70.105.3

Share this artwork!

About this Work

This head of a young bull, adorned for sacrifice with a flower and ivy-leaf garland, is a remarkably fine example of the skill of Greek goldsmiths. The narrow skull swells outward into the fleshy muzzle. It's stippled surface is very naturalistic, as is the carefully incised swirling pattern of hair over the forehead. The large eyes are bordered above by well-defined lids and sagging skin folds convincingly define the neck.

The small sculpture has been formed from two halves; the back is closed by a oval-shaped plate, framed with beaded wire. A broken spiral tube rises from the top of the neck, perhaps once attached to a loop and chain.

Provenance
More Details

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.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently on view.

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Bull's Head Pendant | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=70.105.3