Picture of the Day

Hedgehog

JE 30742 Cairo Antiquity Museum

Material: Blue Faience
Size: Height 5.3 cm; Length 7 cm
Location: Western Thebes
Period: Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 BC)

The Hedgehog was one of many animals modeled by ancient Egyptian craftsmen. With this piece, the artist has fairly well respected the natural form of the animal.

The hedgehog appears in bas-reliefs in Old Kingdom tombs as a decoration on the prows of ships or as free-standing clay sculptures. The shape of the hedgehog was also used in the production of animal shaped vases, particularly some intended to hold oil or perfume during the Greco-Roman period. Such items were mostly found at Naukratis.

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