Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head
Ancient Near Eastern ArtShell-Vesselsca. 7th century B.C.

Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head is a shell-vessels created in ca. 7th century B.C. using shell (tridacna squamosa) measuring 2 x 3 1/8 in. (5.1 x 7.9 cm) — now part of the Ancient Near Eastern Art collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About This Artwork

MediumShell (Tridacna squamosa)
Dimensions2 x 3 1/8 in. (5.1 x 7.9 cm)
ClassificationShell-Vessels
DepartmentAncient Near Eastern Art
Credit LineGift of Walter Hauser, 1955
Dateca. 7th century B.C.

Historical Context

Culture & Period

dating from the Iron Age II period. The estimated date range is 700 BC – 600 BC.

Geography

Origin: Levant or Mesopotamia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What department houses Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head?

Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head is housed in the Ancient Near Eastern Art department of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

When was Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head created?

Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head dates to ca. 7th century B.C..

What material is Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head made from?

Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head is crafted from shell (tridacna squamosa).

Is Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head in the public domain?

Fragment of a shell with a sculpted female head is in the public domain and can be freely used.

Data Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access · Last updated: April 2026

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