Collection
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Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Hedgehog

ca. 1938–1700 B.C.E.

1 of 6

Object Label

When food is scarce, hedgehogs retreat into underground dens for long periods, to re-emerge only in times of abundance. The Egyptians associated this behavior with rebirth and thus wore amulets in the form of hedgehogs or left figures such as this one in tombs. Also, according to the Ebers Medical Papyrus of the early Eighteenth Dynasty, hedgehog spines, when ground up and mixed with fat or oil, cured baldness.

Caption

Hedgehog, ca. 1938–1700 B.C.E.. Faience, 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 2 13/16 in. (4.2 x 4.1 x 7.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 65.2.1. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Hedgehog

Date

ca. 1938–1700 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 12 to early Dynasty 13

Period

Middle Kingdom

Geography

Place made: Deir el Nawahid, Egypt

Medium

Faience

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

1 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 2 13/16 in. (4.2 x 4.1 x 7.1 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

65.2.1

Frequent Art Questions

  • Is this what I think it is? So cute!

    If you’re thinking hedgehog, you’re right! The Egyptians associated the hedgehog with rebirth because they retreat into underground dens for long periods only to re-emerge in times of abundance.
    Because of this association, the ancient Egyptians wore amulets in the form of hedgehogs and left figurines of them (like this one) in tombs where rebirth of the deceased in the afterlife was supremely important.

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