Fragmentary Amber Carving Of A Horse’s Head Possibly Denmark; Mesolithic Period

Fragmentary Amber Carving of a Horse’s Head

Possibly Denmark; Mesolithic period (proposed)

Amber (fossilised resin), carved and drilled; mounted on a modern metal display stand

Measurements: 6 × 3.2 × 1.9 cm (2.36 × 1.26 × 0.75 in.)

Weight: 19 grams

A fragmentary amber carving of a horse’s head, worked in the round and polished to a rich orange-red surface with natural tonal variation. Both eyes are drilled, the nostrils are deeply worked as circular recesses, and the mouth is notably carved, giving the muzzle a pronounced, expressive profile. Short, confident cuts define the ear, jawline and a stylised mane. The carving survives with multiple old breaks and losses, including damage to the ears and a substantial loss to the underside/rear, with a pronounced longitudinal fissure; these areas expose paler amber at the fractured edges. Surface abrasions and fine scratches are consistent with handling and the inherent brittleness of the material. The fragment is presented on a modern metal display stand.

Many of the Mesolithic period’s artistic masterpieces in amber have been found in Denmark, including bears, a bird, horses and an elk. Such animal figures are recovered from bogs or beaches, and in some cases from disturbed or submerged coastal deposits; these find circumstances can complicate secure archaeological dating when stratified context and associated finds are absent. Typological comparison and assessment of workmanship therefore tend to form the principal basis for proposed chronologies.

Note on dating amber
Amber is geologically ancient, so the age of the raw material does not, in itself, date the carving. Where objects are recovered as bog or beach finds (or from disturbed/submerged deposits), contextual evidence is often limited or lost, making stylistic and technical comparison the most practical means of suggesting a period.

Comparisons
National Museum of Denmark, Magical amber animals (context for Mesolithic Danish amber figurines; notes on bog/beach find circumstances and dating difficulties)
https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-mesolithic-period/magical-amber-animals/
National Museum of Denmark, Amber from submerged settlements (discussion of coastal/submerged contexts and accidental recovery)
https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-mesolithic-period/magical-amber-animals/amber-from-submerged-settlements/
J. Paul Getty Museum, What Is Amber? (summary of amber’s origin and the distinction between geological formation and later human working)
https://www.getty.edu/publications/ambers/intro/4/
ResearchGate (illustrated figure): amber figurine from Næsby Strand
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-amber-figurine-from-Naesby-Strand-A-54499-was-found-on-the-coast-of-Western_fig4_336418074
ResearchGate (illustrated figure): amber elk head from Egemarke
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-famous-amber-elk-head-from-Egemarke-on-Zealand-is-decorated-in-an-Allerod-style_fig3_336418074
Pinterest: related illustrated example
https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/534028468305264357/