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Egypt, Predynastic (5000–2950 BCE), Naqada III (3200–3000 BCE)–Egypt, Early Dynastic (2950–2647 BCE) / c. 2950 BCE

Statue of Heqat, the Frog Goddess

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Statue of Heqat, the Frog Goddess as sculpture (Egypt, Predynastic (5000–2950 BCE), Naqada III (3200–3000 BCE)–Egypt, Early Dynastic (2950–2647 BCE) · c. 2950 BCE).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

This probably represents a puffed-up Bufo viridis , one of two types of "frogs" (it is actually a toad) represented in Egyptian art.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this sculpture as travertine (Egyptian alabaster).

The museum's collection notes: During the Predynastic period statues of animals are much more common than those of humans. This statue of a frog stands at the beginning of a great tradition of animal sculpture in Egyptian art. The sculptor has shown great sensitivity to the natural banding of the stone, using it to enhance the roundness of the animal's form. Small frogs, mostly of faience, are among the most common votive offerings deposited at early temple sites. The frog's exact religious significance in the Predynastic period is unknown, but in later times it was most often identified with Heqat, the goddess who assisted at childbirth.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtStatue of Heqat, the Frog Goddess

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