The Swimming Reindeer

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Swimming Reindeer
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Jill Cook
SeriesObjects in Focus
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:56
Dimensions(mm): Height 210,Width 148
Category/GenrePre-history
Sculpture
ISBN/Barcode 9780714128214
ClassificationsDewey:736.62
Audience
General
Illustrations Illustrated in colour and black and white throughout

Publishing Details

Publisher British Museum Press
Imprint British Museum Press
Publication Date 24 May 2010
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Discovered in 1866 as two separate pieces and acquired by the British Museum in 1887, the sculpture known as the 'swimming reindeer' depicts a male and a female reindeer with their heads up and legs extended, and was created at least 13,000 years ago. The sculpture is 22 cm long and was carved from mammoth ivory using stone tools, and then polished and engraved to add detail. The naturalism of the representation is remarkable, conveying movement and displaying a hunter's knowledge of anatomy as we can clearly tell the sex of the reindeer, and see differences in the coats of the male and female. The fragility of the connection between the two halves of the sculpture means that they do not form a practical object, but instead a masterpiece of figurative art. Possibly designed to ward off bad luck, as a totem for a group or as the focal point of a myth, the swimming reindeer offers us a glimpse into an Ice Age society.