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© Bruce M. White, 2016.
Pet Dog
© Bruce M. White, 2016.
© Bruce M. White, 2016.
© Bruce M. White, 2016.
ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Pet Dog

Place CreatedEgypt, Africa
CultureEgyptian
Date30 BCE-323 CE
MediumFaience
Credit LineMuseum purchase through the generosity of Anne Cox Chambers
Dimensions3 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (9.5 x 8.9 x 3.8 cm)
Object number2014.011.004
Label TextThe ancient Egyptians saw dogs as companions and pets. Hieroglyphic captions identified them by names such as "Ebony" and "Spot". This statuette with its pointed ears, ruff, and curled tail, is reminiscent of Basenji-mix dogs seen today in Egypt. The embellished collar worn around the dog's neck indicates it was a beloved household pet. The number of ceramic figurines fashioned in the Roman Period attest to the popularity of this breed, although those made in faience are more rare.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, 2006 - Present
Published ReferencesAlan S. Walker, Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection. Part III (Mainz am Rhein: P. von Zabern, 1996), no. 125.
Gisela Zahlhaas, Aus Noahs Arche: Tierbilder der Sammlung Mildenberg aus funf Jahrtausenden (Munchen: P. von Zabern, 1996), 88-89, number 73.
ProvenanceEx coll. Leo Mildenberg (1913-2001), Germany and Switzerland, by 1996. Purchased by MCCM from Jerome Eisenberg (1930-2022) [Royal-Athena Galleries], New York, New York.
Status
On view
Collections
  • Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art
© Bruce M. White, 2006.
2435-2152 BCE
© Bruce M. White, 2015.
1980-1760 BCE
© Bruce M. White, 2013.
722-332 BCE
Courtesy Emory Libraries Digitization
2nd Century CE
© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Peter Harholdt.
722-332 BCE
© Bruce M. White, 2012.
1076-723 BCE
© Bruce M. White, 2005.
ca. 700 BCE