Personal adornment – comb, with hippopotamus figurine PER-0004
By Brancic, Anastasija
, HK6, tomb 72.
2014 : Hierkonpolis Expedition excavation.Egypt (reg. 726).
Date : Naqada IIA–B
Based on the date of the assemblage of the tomb.
Material : Hippopotamus ivory (Carved)
Preservation : Almost complete
Decoration preservation : Very good
Preservation information :
The object is an ivory comb that originally had 13 teeth, though only 7 are fully preserved.
Description
The object is an ivory comb that is intricately carved, with a hippopotamus figurine positioned along the top edge. The comb shows signs of damage, including traces of burning on the middle section, which has caused surface erosion and indentations along the top edge. The reverse side of the figurine also displays burn marks, possibly from exposure to fire.
Decoration
The decoration of the comb is focused on the carved hippopotamus figurine, which serves both an artistic and symbolic role. The hippopotamus is intricately rendered, with short legs, a square snout, and a gently rounded lower jaw. Its small tail is carved at the back, while small raised areas indicate its ears and nostrils. The craftsmanship is evident in the fine detailing, creating a functional object that is also visually ornamental, highlighting the skill of the carver.
Dimensions (cm)
9.2
5.7
Additional information
References
2015
Riverine and desert animals in predynastic Upper Egypt: material culture and faunal remains. Dphil thesis, University of Oxford. Oxford
, 191.2014
The 2014 season of the Hierakonpolis Expedition. Unpublished report for the MSA
.2017
The elite predynastic cemetery at Hierakonpolis HK6: 2011–2015 progress report, in: Midant-Reynes, Beatrix; Tristan, Yann (eds); Ryan E.M. (ass), Egypt at its origins 5: proceedings of the Fifth International Conference "Origin of the State. Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt", Cairo, 13th–18th April 2014. Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 260. Leuven
.
