Figure in the form of a hare, cast and engraved bronze

Hares are often depicted in Egyptian art and are found on many textiles, for example. There is also an entire group of little bronze figures in the form of hares. All are shown crouching, and all but one have ears laid back and a little tail, usually erect. As always, the engraving is a mixture of more naturalistic details and vegetal ornamentation that is out of place on an animal.

The figures are hollow and have an open mouth. Some have holes under the belly, others behind, which might indicate that they were used as little fountain figures. If so, the hare in the David Collection is a bit unusual, since water was piped in through the square hole in the animal’s back.