Two ichneumons surmounting a shrine-shaped box for an animal mummy

Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
664–30 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130
The ichneumon is a rodent, similar to a mongoose, that was associated with the gods Horus of Letopolis and Atum. 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, as shown here. On this example, two ichneumons surmount a mummy box that held animal mummies.

The stout ichneumons stand side-by-side, facing forward, and on each, small incised marks indicate the fur. 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

Object Information
  • Title: Two ichneumons surmounting a shrine-shaped box for an animal mummy
  • Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
  • Date: 664–30 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Cupreous metal
  • Dimensions: H. 6.5 cm (2 9/16 in.); W. 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.); D. 13.2 cm (5 3/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Maguid Sameda, 1948
  • Object Number: 48.110
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

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.