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Zoomorphic

Describing a form, figure, ornament, or object shaped as an animal or incorporating animal characteristics.

Short Definition

Having the form or characteristics of an animal.

Difficulty

Beginner

Language Origin

Greek / English

Pronunciation

zoh-ə-MOR-fik

Zoomorphic describes a work, form, ornament, vessel, architectural feature, or figure that takes the shape of an animal or incorporates animal characteristics. The term contrasts with anthropomorphic, which describes human form or human characteristics.

Etymology

From Greek zoon, “animal,” and morphe, “form.”

Sculptor Notes

For the sculptor, zoomorphic design is not limited to literal animal representation. Horns, claws, wings, spines, shells, jaws, tails, and animal mass can be abstracted into structural and ornamental language.

References

https://www.getty.edu/vow/AATFullDisplay?find=genre&logic=null&note=&subjectid=300061887