Relief Fragment with an Ibex Facing Left

Thin slab of white limestone, back surface of which was sawed off from a larger block. The edges are broken all around except for the sawed edge beneath animal head. The animal head is in slightly raised relief with frontal eye, fringed beard under jaw, long pointed ear with fringed hair locks on one side, and two horns situated side by side and marked with curving relief lines. There is a slight concave groove in the neck extending downward from the back end of the jaw.

This piece purports to be from a frieze of animals from a tomb wall either of the 5th dynasty or the 26th dynasty. The proportions of the horn and neck and eye suggest that it is either a recut piece or a modern forgery. (DGM)