Shrew Coffin
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
The Egyptians venerated the shrew, a mouse-sized nocturnal creature, because they believed it to be the counterpart for the ichneumon, with full vision during the night.
MEDIUM
Bronze, animal remains
DATES
664–30 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26, or later
PERIOD
Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
DIMENSIONS
1 5/16 x 3/4 x 2 1/2 in., 0.2 lb. (3.3 x 1.9 x 6.4 cm, 0.08kg)
as mounted: 1 1/2 x 7/8 x 2 1/2 in. (3.8 x 2.2 x 6.4 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.410Ea-b
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Bronze animal coffin (37.410Ea) surmounted by a figure of an ichneumon. The shrew has minimal details outside of the general body, head, and eye shape, featuring incised detail only to depict ear canals and toes.The coffin is even simpler in design. It is an undecorated rectangular block with an open back showing the hollow interior of the object. Contents (37.410Eb) removed.
Condition: The entire object is well-preserved and shows scant damage on any of its surfaces.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Shrew Coffin, 664–30 B.C.E. Bronze, animal remains, 1 5/16 x 3/4 x 2 1/2 in., 0.2 lb. (3.3 x 1.9 x 6.4 cm, 0.08kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.410Ea-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 37.410E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.410E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
What Egyptian god is the shrew is supposed to be associated with?
Shrews were used to stand in for the ichneumon, the African mongoose. The ichneumon was associated with Horus and the god Atum, and was worshipped for it's ability to see in the dark and ability to kill snakes.
You might have seen a small statue of a king and (much larger) Ichneumon elsewhere in the exhibition!
Interesting! I knew the ichneumon was variously worshipped, also as the goddess Mafdet, but I didn't know the shrew could be a possible stand-in for it.
Isn't it fascinating?
It really is!
