Art, at its peak, captures the very essence of some quality in our lives. The artist of this masterpiece has captured in vivid dynamism, the very spirit of animal motion. Their limbs outstretched, muscles rippling- these twin gazelles are the picture of athleticism and energy. The dramatic sweep of their horns, the length of their stretching bodies, and the wind blowing on their beards come together to create a piece exceptional in its activity, and the grace of its execution. The duality and perfect symmetry of the piece gives the action of the gazelles a very human element. Every muscular force in the human body comes in pairs, and the twin gazelles remind us of the locomotion of our legs or the push of our arms. The elegance of our form comes from the unity of our motion, and the artist of this work understood this on the most intimate of levels. In seeing these gazelles, we are thrilled with the exceptional craft of their movement, and are intrinsically fascinated with their zealous grace. The ring between them perhaps would have held a pennant pole, a standard that would have identified a group of warriors or a tribe on the field of battle. It would make sense for warriors to wish the spirit and energy of these gazelles infused into its standard. Whether the hooves of these gazelles ever mingled with those of cavalry horses, or sat more ornamentally in the home of noble, they remain a striking display of movement and human artistry. Today, they inspire and invigorate our bodies and hearts with all of the intensity of gazelle, leaping across the sun-drenched plain.
This charming object has a graceful beauty drawn from nature. Two gazelles with curved horns stand heraldically erect, as if nibbling at the lower branches of a tree. The ring between them perhaps would have held a pennant pole, a standard that would have identified a group of warriors or a tribe on the field of battle. Whatever its original function, it comes down to us today as an artwork of infinite delicacy and lively humor.