Figure of a Frog
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Caption
Figure of a Frog, ca. 3000–2675 B.C.E.. Faience, 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm) Base: 1 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (3.8 x 4.1 cm). Anonymous loan, L58.2.2. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Title
Figure of a Frog
Date
ca. 3000–2675 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 1 to Dynasty 2 (possibly)
Period
Early Dynastic Period
Geography
Possible place collected: Abydos, Egypt
Medium
Faience
Classification
Dimensions
1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm) Base: 1 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (3.8 x 4.1 cm)
Credit Line
Anonymous loan
Accession Number
L58.2.2
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
Why did Egyptians make figures of frogs?
Frogs inhabited marshlands and in later eras frogs were associated with fertility and protected in childbirth. They have have served a similar purpose in the far past as well.These frogs are from prehistoric Ancient Egypt, and predate writing and much of what we know about Egyptian spirituality and iconography. As such we really have to make educated guesses.Can you tell me anything more about the significance of the frog to the Egyptians?
Frogs would appear after the flooding of the Nile, so they became associated with the life-bringing quality of water, and it's role in fertilizing the land. The frog was also one of the hieroglyphic symbols of the goddess Heqet, who was associated with fertility, childbirth, the flooding of the Nile and resurrection.Can you tell me about the Guennol collection?
The Guennol Collection, assembled by Alastair Martin and his wife, features a number of exceptional objects! Several were acquired by the museum or are on long term loan. The couple began collecting objects in the late 1940s, which they soon began offering to museums. Martin became a trustee of the Brooklyn Museum in 1948 and began lending and donating objects to the museum.The Collection is rather diverse and features art from ancient Egypt, the ancient Americas, Asian art, and American folk art. Objects from the collection can be found in numerous places around the Museum today.
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