Art Resource - ART201930

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Perforated baton with horse and fish engravings, Late Magdalenian, about 12,500 years old. Antler batons first appeared in the early Upper Palaeolithic of western Europe about 35,000 years ago. By the Late Upper Palaeolithic Magdalenian period, about 14,000-10,000 years ago, they were in common use and often richly decorated. Tthe use or uses of batons are not known. It was once thought that they must have been symbols of power, because of the decoration. However, they could also have been used in making string and rope, for softening leather straps or as parts of roping systems used in hunting. This baton from La Madeleine is made on the main stem of the antler from which the branches or tines have been cut off. It has two holes surrounded by deep grooves. Like many batons, this example is decorated with animals. On the right end facing left is a male horse, his feet coming together and tail flying as he runs. Two fish, one overlapping the head of the horse, swim towards the perforated end. On the opposite a shoal of fish fill the middle area. Each fish is infilled with lines. Such infilled fish and horses are typical of the later Magdalenian.
P AND EE, Sieveking Catalogue no. 312

Location British Museum/London/Great Britain

Unique Identifier ART201930

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 4000px × 1851px

Photo Credit Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY

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