Wolverine pendant

An engraved wolverine follows the shape of a bone pendant. The animal’s outline and fur markings occupy the available surface, so the material and the drawing work together. Small marks give the creature a recognisable coat. The pendant belongs to the Upper Palaeolithic. It preserves close observation of an animal in an object small enough to carry. Calling it a pendant describes its form, though it does not recover every reason someone made, wore or kept it. The image gives firmer ground for discussion than an invented story about its owner. The Museum purchased it from Peccadeau de l’Isle with support from the Christy Fund. The original is currently off display. In an image, you can follow how the engraver fitted the wolverine to the bone. The markings describe the fur without filling the whole surface, leaving the animal’s outline clear against it.