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Scaraboid in the Form of a Hedgehog

A work made of steatite.
Public Domain

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  • A work made of steatite.

Date:

New Kingdom–Third Intermediate Period (about 1550–664 BCE)

Artist:

Egyptian

About this artwork

This amulet’s large, alert ears indicate that it likely represents the long-eared hedgehog (hemiechinus auritus), one of two hedgehog species native to North Africa. Despite their small stature, hedgehogs have many defenses against the harsh desert environment that ancient Egyptians admired. They use their spines for protection from predators and have immunity to snake and scorpion venom. Ancient Egyptians may have also associated hedgehogs with cycles of rebirth because they are hibernating animals.

This diminutive hedgehog belongs to a type of amulet that scholars call “scaraboids.” Objects like this one derive their name from the beetle-shaped scarab amulets they resemble. Both types of carvings feature inscriptions on their undersides: phrases, names, or images of animals or deities, intended to help bring about good luck and renewal. These patterns could also be used as personal or institutional stamp seals. Ancient Egyptians likely hoped to manifest the hedgehog’s strong qualities themselves by wearing a scaraboid shaped like the animal.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Ancient Egyptian

Title

Scaraboid in the Form of a Hedgehog

Place

Egypt (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1550 BCE–664 BCE

Medium

Steatite

Dimensions

1.8 × 2 × 1.2 cm (3/4 × 13/16 × 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Henry H. Getty and Charles L. Hutchinson

Reference Number

1894.846

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/140366/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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