Object Image

Mammalian disk

This disk, most likely a pectoral or ear ornament, is made of metal sheet. The design shows a mammalian face with semicircular eyes above which there are eyebrows comprised of circular dots. The creature has a triangular nose, a mouth in the shape of a double-headed arrow, and a trapezoidal element that extends from the mouth and suggests a tongue. Ears are outlined in a relatively rectilinear fashion on either side of the face, perpendicular to the central relief, and each ear shows an ornament hanging from it.

The sheet is made of gold. There may be some copper present given the pink tones of certain areas of the relief decoration. To create the object, metalworkers engaged in a multi-step p...

A.D. 800-1500
Gold
9.2cm
1979.206.510
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection