Accession Number
1980/2.283

Title
Head of a ram

Artist(s)
Indian

Artist Nationality
Indian (South Asian)

Object Creation Date
1st century

Medium & Support
terracotta

Dimensions
3 1/16 in x 3 1/4 in x 4 1/16 in (7.8 cm x 8.3 cm x 10.4 cm);3 1/16 in x 3 1/4 in x 4 1/16 in (7.8 cm x 8.3 cm x 10.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

Label copy
March 28, 2009
This terracotta head exemplifies the tension between abstraction and naturalism that has characterized Indian depictions of animals for centuries. With simple means, the artist has created a convincing image of a ram’s snout that is at once sensitive to the animal’s physiognomy and visually interesting. The latter quality is owed to punch-marked floral designs set in a band dividing the ram’s snout and horns. Striations carved into the surface of the horns at regular intervals perform dual functions, enlivening the representation while they remain true to the animal’s anatomical form.
(Label for UMMA South and Southeast Asia Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009)

Subject matter
Throughout the history of Indian art, animal figures were often depicted with a sense of naturalism, as seen here. With very simple means the artist has given us a convincing figure of a ram’s head. He has modeled the clay by hand, using a sharp tool to punch decorations, much as one would stamp designs into leather.

Physical Description
This terracotta is modeled in the shape of a ram’s head. The snout is softly modeled by hand and his two horns form coils to either side of his head. A decorative band with punch-marked floral decoration on it divides the snout from the area of the head with the spiral horns. The horns are decorated with lines and encircle a donut shaped element in the center. A floral motif is between the two above the decorative band and other punch-marked floral forms decorate his snout at the top and at each cheek. His eyes are incised in a diamond pattern with a circular center and his nostrils are simple indentations.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
head
heads (animal components)
rams
rams (animals)