Figurine Pendant of an Ichneumon, inscribed
The ichneumon is a rodent, similar to a mongoose, that was associated with the gods Horus of Letopolis and Atum, and during the Late Period became associated with the goddess Wadjet through her cult at Buto being linked mythologically with those of Horus of Letopolis.
Sometimes confused with the shrew mouse, which was also dedicated as a statuette, the ichneumon has a shorter snout, thick body, and smaller oval ears; its legs are straight and its tail usually droops down to touch the base below (broken here). On this example, small incised marks indicate the ichneumon’s fur and a double-strap pendant loop sits just behind its neck. The base has a fragmentary inscription, only partially preserved at the front "Wadjet gives life(?)...", and is inscribed on the underside: "Wadjet gives life to Taklouthis, son of Pedi[....]."
This figure may have been worn or hung, but similar ichneumons frequently adorn boxes that would have held small animal mummies. While ichneumons could be dedicated to either Horus or Atum, they are also frequently found together with other animal statuettes related more broadly to solar cult, such as lizards, falcons, and shrew mice.
Sometimes confused with the shrew mouse, which was also dedicated as a statuette, the ichneumon has a shorter snout, thick body, and smaller oval ears; its legs are straight and its tail usually droops down to touch the base below (broken here). On this example, small incised marks indicate the ichneumon’s fur and a double-strap pendant loop sits just behind its neck. The base has a fragmentary inscription, only partially preserved at the front "Wadjet gives life(?)...", and is inscribed on the underside: "Wadjet gives life to Taklouthis, son of Pedi[....]."
This figure may have been worn or hung, but similar ichneumons frequently adorn boxes that would have held small animal mummies. While ichneumons could be dedicated to either Horus or Atum, they are also frequently found together with other animal statuettes related more broadly to solar cult, such as lizards, falcons, and shrew mice.
Artwork Details
- Title: Figurine Pendant of an Ichneumon, inscribed
- Period: Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 332–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Cupreous metal
- Dimensions: H. 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.); W. 2.2 cm (7/8 in.); L. 5.6 cm (2 3/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Lucie Taft Bard, in memory of her father, Walbridge S. Taft, 1995
- Object Number: 1995.434
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
246–222 B.C.
550–300 B.C.
ca. 733–664 BCE
ca. 945–712 BCE
ca. 664–525 BCE
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.