ca. 3200–3000 B.C.E.

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

Early Sculpture

Almost all of the small figures in this case originally were placed in temples.

We do not know the significance of many of these early objects. The lion probably embodied divine or royal power, and frogs may have provided protection during childbirth, as in later times.

The figure of a squatting little boy in this case may have been offered to a god as the expression of a wish to bear children. The destructive powers of animals such as pigs, hippos, and scorpions could apparently be neutralized and even made useful through their images, as in the hippo-headed top of a mace (war club).

The ivory lioness was part of a common board game, of which partial sets have survived. The opposing side’s pieces were carved ivory figures of crouching lions or dogs.

Caption

Figure of a Scorpion, ca. 3200–3000 B.C.E.. Egyptian alabaster, 1 1/8 x 1 x 3 1/2 in. (2.9 x 2.5 x 8.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 36.122. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.36.122_erg3.jpg)

Title

Figure of a Scorpion

Date

ca. 3200–3000 B.C.E.

Dynasty

early Dynasty 1 (probably)

Period

Predynastic Period, late Naqada III – Early Dynastic Period

Geography

Place made: Egypt

Medium

Egyptian alabaster

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

1 1/8 x 1 x 3 1/2 in. (2.9 x 2.5 x 8.9 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

36.122

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

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