Abstract and elegant, this ancient votive was discovered with a cache of related artifacts along the shores of Lake Van in Armenia. Originally, it was offered at the shrine of a powerful deity, perhaps a nature god. The pointed end probably served to hold the piece upright in the ground outside a temple. Birds played a prominent role in this cult, though their exact significance is uncertain: perhaps they were favored sacrifices to the god, or they may have represented the souls of the deceased. This particular sculpture represents an eagle, fierce and noble. Though a token from the dawn of western culture, it radiates a bold, contemporary appeal.