Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Uncommon Variant of Anubis

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, at an uncommon variant of Anubis 𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­! As you may know, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite word to spot (no matter the variant) in inscriptions!

This particular β€˜spelling’ of Anubis’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is a not-as- common variant of the common way to write his name which is β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣.” However, even though some of the symbols are different, his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– would still be pronounced the same! The proper way to say Anubis in Middle/New/Late Egyptian is β€œΔ±Ν—npw” (pronounced like β€œInpu” or β€œAnpu”).

Anubis 𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­ is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ, so I love spotting the different variants of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! His name turns up a lot because Anubis 𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­ is one of the main funerary gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and a large part of Egyptian artifacts that are in museums happen to be funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­! 

Uncommon Variant of Anubis
Can you spot the uncommon variant of Anubis “𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­” in the inscription above?

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols! 

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

The β€œred crown 𓋔” is also a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“‹”β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn,” just like the β€œripple of water π“ˆ–.” This symbol can also act as a determinative for β€œred crown.” 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is one of the hieroglyphs that appears the most in inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

The β€œseated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as β€œpunctuation” at the end of the name of a male god! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAnubis” is actually the Greek version of his name, not the Middle Egyptian name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, so that is why the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ don’t match up with how we are so used to saying Anubis/Inpu/Anpu’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

Here are some common variants of Anubis’ name: 

𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­ (the one pictured)

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±

Which variant do you prefer? My favorite is π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Lord of the Sacred Land

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the significance of the epithet β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦.”

An epithet is almost like a title, except it comes after a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– instead of before it! The epithet β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦β€ (some also translate it as β€œLord of the Necropolis), will commonly follow the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in inscriptions! This phrase is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱! The β€œsacred land” that is being referred to is actually the tombs/cemeteries for the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱!

Lord of the Sacred Land
“Lord of the Sacred Land” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus

Let’s break down the phrase!
π“ŽŸ – Lord
𓇾 – Land
𓂦 – Sacred

This phrase gives us a nice and simple look at Middle Egyptian sentence structure! In Middle Egyptian, the adjectives follow the noun hence why it reads β€œlord land sacred” instead of β€œLord Sacred Land.” In English, the adjective comes before the noun in a sentence!

Let’s take a closer look at each of the symbols!

The β€œbasket π“ŽŸβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œnb” which is thought to have been pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the common words β€œLord,” β€œPossessor,” and β€œAll.”

The β€œstrip of land with sand 𓇾” symbol is an ideogram for land, Earth and world. It is also a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œt3” and can be a determinative in the word β€œeternity 𓆖.”

The β€œforearm with brush 𓂦” symbol is both an ideogram and determinative for β€œsacred” and is associated with the sound β€œαΈsr.”

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Lord of the Nine Bows

Did you know that Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 was referred to as the β€œLord π“ŽŸ of the Nine Bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏” in certain religious texts? The most famous example of the use of this title for Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is from the Pyramid Texts! Let’s take a closer look at what this means! 

The β€œnine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏” was a phrase that was used to refer to the enemies of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Egyptologists and historians actually still don’t know the exact countries or territories were represented by the nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏, but they are agreed to be foreign lands.Β 

Lord of the Nine Bows
Anubis, the Lord of the Nine Bows on a scarab/seal on display at the MET.

In statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ can be depicted standing on nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏, however on scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ or seals such as this one pictured, the nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏 are represented by the images of nine captives with their hands tied behind their backs. A recumbent jackal (aka Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣) is seen presiding over the nine captives. 

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is most commonly known as the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž, however, in many early myths he had proven himself in battle hence why he was given the title β€œLord π“ŽŸ of the Nine Bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏.” 

Seals such as these were popular in the Theban necropolis during the 18th Dynasty. This is such a small piece, but one that contains so much meaning. I of course love it because I look for any representation of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 that I can find!Β 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ on Instagram and TikTok

Categories
Blog

Anubis in Disney World

Did you know you can find Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 all over Hollywood Studios in Disney World? Well, now you do!

There used to be a ride called β€œThe Great Movie Ride” and there was an entire room dedicated to Indiana Jones! Since it was modeled after β€œRaiders of the Lost Arc,” there was a lot of ancient Egyptian stuff going on! β€œThe Great Movie Ride” no longer exists, however, the Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 statues have been repurposed and you can find pieces of them in the park! 

Anubis in Disney World
Me in Galaxy’s Edge with the foot that belonged to an Anubis statue!

The picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above is in Galaxy’s Edge and I’m am with Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 foot! Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 foot is hidden amongst the Jedi statues outside one of the stores! It’s so cool to have some ancient Egypt in a Galaxy Far, Far Away! 

Anubis in Disney World

The 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above is in a little shop and it’s Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 head from the Great Movie Ride! I was very excited by this find!

It’s so much fun to find little pieces of ancient Egypt everywhere I go! Next time you’re in Disney World make sure you look for Anubis in Hollywood Studios! 

I hope you’re enjoying my β€œAncient Egypt in Disney” posts!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblog 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Anubis in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β 

Anubis in Hieroglyphs
Anubis in Hieroglyphs on a sarcophagus at the MET

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to look at my favorite word to spot in inscriptions: Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣! Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ, so I love spotting the different variants of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! His name π“‚‹π“ˆ– turns up a lot because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is one of the main funerary gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and a large part of Egyptian artifacts that are in museums happen to be funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­! 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols! 

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

The β€œrecumbent jackal on shrine 𓃣” is used as both an ideogram and a determinative. 𓃣 is the determinative in the word β€œAnubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣” and also an ideogram for β€œAnubis 𓃣. When 𓃣 functions as an ideogram, the β€œπ“ƒ£β€ would be pronounced the same as β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣,” which is the full way to write the name. This is my absolute favorite hieroglyphic symbol!

The proper way to say Anubis in Middle Egyptian is β€œΔ±Ν—npw” (pronounced like β€œInpu” or β€œAnpu”). Even though the quail chick is missing in this variant, the determinative of Anubis 𓃣 just implies the full spelling! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAnubis” is actually the Greek version of his name, not the Middle Egyptian name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, so that is why the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ don’t match up with how we are so used to saying Anubis/Inpu/Anpu’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

Here are some common variants of Anubis’ name: 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 (the one pictured)

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Osiris Cartouche

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a man named Amenemopet who lived during the early part of the 22nd Dynasty (c. 975–909 B.C.E.).Β This coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 has what I like to call “The Osiris Cartouche” painted inside!

The Osiris Cartouche
The Osiris Cartouche is located on the bottom panel of this coffin at the MET.

If you look closely at the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork inside this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 there’s a lot of different things going on! The uppermost row of artwork in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 purifying π“‹΄π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, whose is surrounded by offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 covered in food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯! 

Above Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 there are some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇽 – Duat (the ancient Egyptian word for β€œNetherworld”)

Is it Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 being referred to as the β€œLord of the Duat,” or is it Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­? Usually this epithet was used with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! 

One of the cool things you can see on the bottom panel is Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! While this doesn’t happen often, there are instances where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ will appear in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· and since this coffin does not belong to a pharaoh, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is not expected! But Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was believed to be the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, so I guess a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is fitting! 

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are: π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. Let’s break down the symbols! 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this translates to β€œOsiris, Lord of Eternity.”

The cartouche is flanked by the Golden Horus symbol π“…‰ on either side which is a Falcon π“…ƒ standing on top of the symbol for gold π“‹ž. The common symbols of protection, the Eye of Horus and Eye of Ra also appear above the Golden Horus π“…‰, along with the shen ring in between the Falcon’s wings. The Shen 𓍢 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness and eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Video

Wooden Statue of Anubis (Video)

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 at the Brooklyn Museum is one of my favorites!

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in his jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ form. The recumbent position is representative of him guarding the necropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ from high above on a hill π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“„Ώπ“ŠŽ or mountain π“ˆ‹π“…³- as was his role as the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž.

Another one of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 titles is β€œupon his hill/mountain π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘β€ and this hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrase usually follows his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in dedication texts! Again, this is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱; he was always standing watch from above! 

This piece is dated to the Late Period or Ptolemaic Period (c. 664-30 B.C.E.), which is when wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in this style became extremely popular!

This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 at the Brooklyn Museum is similar to the one I posted from the MET yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳! I love seeing β€œsister” pieces across museums!Β 

Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis
Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis at the Brooklyn Museum

This piece is dated to the Late Period or Ptolemaic Period (c. 664-30 B.C.E.), which is when wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in this style became extremely popular! This piece was likely found at Saqqara, which in ancient Egyptian times was called Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–. 

I also love this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 because it is very similar to Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 determinative hieroglyph 𓃣 (which is my favorite hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbol) and it’s almost identical to the β€˜recumbent jackal 𓃒” sign! The recumbent position is representative of him guarding the necropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ from high above on a hill π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“„Ώπ“ŠŽ or mountain π“ˆ‹π“…³- as was his role as the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž.

Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis
Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis at the Brooklyn Museum

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, despite being associated with death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, was a very positive figure in Egyptian religion. In Egyptian mythology, he played the vital role in the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and weighed the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 against Maat’s π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ feather 𓆄𓏺 in the Weighing of the Heart! In modern pop culture, Anubis is usually the β€œvillain” when in reality he was a highly regarded and peaceful god π“ŠΉ! 

Basically, I love anything to do with Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! Seeing a well preserved statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of him, or hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbols of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ makes me really happy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and excited. It’s like seeing an old friend π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“€€π“! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Wooden Statue of Anubis

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is one of my favorites because the piece is in such good condition! The black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still clearly visible and the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is so well preserved. Wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is an organic material, and even in the dry heat of the desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ it can still break down over thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years! My Nonno always pointed out every wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 piece in a museum and told us how significant it was that the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 was preserved.

Wooden Statue of Anubis
Wooden Statue of Anubis at the MET

This particular Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 piece is dated to the Ramesside Period, which was during the 19th-20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom. This style of statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 depicting Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 actually became very popular during the Ptolemaic Period, and there is a piece similar to this in the Brooklyn Museum too! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in his jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ form. The recumbent position is representative of him guarding the necropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ from high above on a hill π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“„Ώπ“ŠŽ or mountain π“ˆ‹π“…³- as was his role as the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž. One of his titles which is β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‚¦π“ˆŠ,” exemplifies and highlights this role. The β€œsacred land” mentioned in this title is another way to say β€œnecropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ!” 

Wooden Statue of Anubis
Wooden Statue of Anubis at the MET

Another one of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 titles is β€œupon his hill/mountain π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘β€ and this hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrase usually follows his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in dedication texts! Again, this is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱; he was always standing watch from above! 

An inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– would look like this: β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±π“ƒ£π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“ŽŸπ“‚¦π“ˆŠβ€ which translates to β€œAnubis, Upon His Hill, Lord of the Sacred Land.” 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Vase of Woman Holding Anubis

On my most recent trip to the Brooklyn Museum, I saw this piece for the first 𓏃 time and it caught my eye immediately! I don’t remember ever really seeing a piece like this in a museum before and I think it’s stunning!Β 

Vase of Woman Holding Anubis

This is a clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ which depicts a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ holding a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ or dog π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘! Some Egyptologists think that this vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ depicts a servant woman holding the pet dog π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘ of her master or mistress. 

During the 18th Dynasty, when this piece was made, a certain group of potters 𓇋π“ͺπ“‚§π“π“­π“€¨π“‡‹π“²π“­π“œπ“€œπ“ˆ–π“†“π“Šƒπ“π“°π“…©π“¦ (possibly all people from the same workshop) made vases π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ in the form of humans π“‡¬π“ˆ‹π“π“…±π“€€π“π“¦ and animals! This would have been a complex process, and the potters 𓇋π“ͺπ“‚§π“π“­π“€¨π“‡‹π“²π“­π“œπ“€œπ“ˆ–π“†“π“Šƒπ“π“°π“…©π“¦ would have had to make both halves of the piece separately using a mold for each and then join them together! 

I really like it because I just see a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ holding what looks to be a recumbent jackal – aka Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my absolute favorite Egyptian deity π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and my first thought when I saw this piece was that I could see Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in the woman’s π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ arms! I think this piece is so beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 and I think the little Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is the cutest thing! This piece was made between the reigns of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 (c. 1479-1352 B.C.E.) and was found at Saqqara (Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–).