Baton fragment (Palart 310)
| Baton fragment | |
|---|---|
 Perforated baton with low relief horse | |
| Material | Antler |
| Size | Length: 16.6 cm Width: 5.5 cm |
| Created | 17,000 to 12,000 years ago |
| Discovered | 1863 Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy |
| Registration | Palart 310 |
An example of the
The baton is 16.6 cm long, 5.5 cm wide and 3 cm thick. The fragment is broken at both ends and is distinguished by a near-cylindrical section, which is interrupted on one side by a horse motif, and on the other side by three deeply cut grooves. The baton has one perforated hole in the near centre, with a deep groove above it, which runs long ways just below the upper edge. Directly to the left of the perforated hole is an image of a horse; this faces to the right, and appears in low-relief. The figure has a large eye, a high angular shaped mane, and small forelegs that seem to sweep backwards. There are two incised V shapes on its flank that might suggest injury or movement.
The occurrence of a large eye is a feature found on other baton examples excavated at La Madeleine.
Function
This decorated antler baton was used in the manufacture and throwing of spears. The hole is a gauge to shape the shaft of the spear. It can also be used to straighten both the tips and the shafts. By looping a strip of raw hide through the hole the tool becomes a weapon. Looping the thong around the end of the spear, turns the baton into a spear thrower. The object represents both a decorated tool and weapon; carrying kit that serves more than one function has immediate advantages when one is on the move.
Exhibitions
- April to June 2010 – 'Ice Age Sculpture' at the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds.
- May to July 2006 – 'Undercover Surrealism' at Hayward Gallery, London.
- February to May 2013 – exhibition at the British Museum Ice Age Art: Arrival of the Modern Mind[1]
See also
References
- "British Museum", on the British Museum online database
Further reading
- Ades, D. and Baker, S. 2006. Undercover surrealism: Georges Bataille and DOCUMENTS. London: Hayward Gallery.
- Sieveking, A. 1987. A catalogue of Palaeolithic art. London: The British Museum Press.
- Underwood, L. 1965. Le baton de commandement. MAN 65, 140–4.
- Zervos, C. 1959. L'art de l'epoque du renne en France. Paris: Cahiers d'art.