Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Scraper
Not on view
A richly colored patina, highly polished surface, and unusual pictorial imagery distinguish this scraper, a women’s tool for cleaning and dressing animal hides. At the top of the handle are five soldiers rendered in a Euro-American style, and at the bottom is a head of a man with raised hair and wavy lines that emanate from it, suggesting supernatural power. It is likely this object was made for a ritual function, rather than everyday use.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.