Otter statue

Period:
Late Period or Ptolemaic Period
Date:
664–30 B.C.
Geography:
Country of Origin Egypt
Medium:
Bronze or copper alloy
Dimensions:
h. 44.3 cm (17 7/16 in); w. 8.3 cm (3 1/4 in); d. 12.4 cm (4 7/8 in)
Credit Line:
Gift of Lily S. Place, 1923
Accession Number:
23.6.2
  • Description

    During the Late Period and Ptolemaic times otters were represented in bronzes statuettes such as this one, standing, forepaws raised, atop small bronze boxes. The pose of raised paws signifies the otter's adoration of the sun god when he rises in the morning.
    In myth otters were attached to the goddess of Lower Egypt Wadjet, whose cult was centered in Buto, in the northern Delta.

  • Provenance

    Collection of Lily S. Place, Cairo. Donated by Lily Place to the museum, 1923.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
100000291:4

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