Phoenix Ornament

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Phoenix Ornament by artist unknown, depicts a bronze ornament in the shape of a bird with its wings spread. The bird's head is turned to the left. The ornament has a dark brown patina with some gold visible. The bird's body is rendered in textured detail with visible feathers. The left wing features long feathers with a serrated edge and a long, thin quill. The right wing consists of shorter feathers with curling ends. The ornament rests on a white surface that shows the object's shadow.