LATE PERIOD-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.

Hollow-cast, the bird stands with its talons spread and the closed wings crossing over the long tail. Details of the feathers are incised and the head is naturalistically modeled with ridged brows, convex eyes framed by defined lids and pointed canthi. The characteristic facial markings are recessed, and the beak is sharply hooked. There is an opening on the underside for the insertion of a now-missing mummy or votive, which presumably was once sealed in plaster. For a related example see fig. 1 in P. Jett, S. Sturman and T.D. Weisser, 'A Study of the Egyptian Bronze Falcon Figures in The Walters Art Gallery', Studies in Conservation, vol. 30, no. 3, 1985.