Egypt, Ptolemaic to Romano-Egyptian Period, ca. 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE. A hollow-molded terracotta figurine of rare form depicting a pig standing on attenuated legs. The portly swine raises its head and peers forward with almond-shaped eyes beneath a furrowed brow, a central crest of hair running between its backswept ears, and a pleated saddle or bridle wrapped around its midsection. The length of the belly strap perhaps indicated how expensive purchasing this animal was; the longer the strap, the greater the weight. Size: 2.16" L x 1.06" W x 1.96" H (5.5 cm x 2.7 cm x 5 cm)

Representations of pigs are extremely uncommon in ancient Egypt as they were typically associated with the despised god Seth, who murdered his brother Osiris. Accordingly, pigs were rarely if ever part of sacrifices to the gods, and illustrations of them have been found in relatively few excavated tombs. Nevertheless, they were cultivated and consumed from Predynastic times until the Arab Conquest of Egypt. Modern research has shown that they were a common part of the diet of workers who built the pyramids.

Exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023, reference number EL01.176.1996.

Published in Dr. Gerry D. Scott III. "Temple, Tomb and Dwelling: Egyptian Antiquities from the Harer Family Trust Collection." University of California Press, 1992, fig. 75b, pp. 119, 121.

Cf. an example at the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum

Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA; Exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023, reference number EL01.176.1996; Published in "Temple, Tomb, and Dwelling", fig. 75b

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#178985

Abrasions in scattered areas, with light earthen deposits, and a couple of small perforations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great preservation to finer details. Faint remains of pigment visible.