Petrie’s Menagerie: The Horse

Last week’s animals weren’t as exotic as their forerunners, and we will be looking at another recognisable animal for both Ancient Egyptians and Victorian Londoners. As promised, this week will be examining the horse, perhaps a not so obvious element of an Egypt based menagerie.

Petrie’s Menagerie #4 The Horse

Man’s best friend may be a dog, but man’s most useful friend is probably the horse and I won’t insult my readers by describing one.

“With the harnessing of its strength and swiftness to provide mobility, the horse transformed human existence”

Lawrence, 223.

Icelandic ponies, I spent a few holidays riding these shaggy beasts around France. copyright wikipedia.org

The Object:

Horses were introduced into Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (about 1700-1550 BC), with the Petrie laying claim to (potentially) the remains of the earliest African horse find of around 1675 BC[1] (Raulwing and Clutton-Brock, 2008, 2) (UC43392). The specimen appears to display signs of wear in the corners of the mouth, which may suggest wearing due to a bit (Raluwing and Clutton-Brock, 2008. 2; 25). There is much contention as to whether or not this is an early domestic horse find, or even if it is a horse at all[2].

Horses had a major role in warfare and played a prominent role in the Theban v. Hyksos wars. Both sides used horses, more predominantly for chariots, where a team of two was common practice. Later, Kush (a Sudanese site) became renowned for its good horses which were blessed with Royal mention by King Piy[3].

Aside from the warring background the horse I have picked comes from a far more docile past time: hair-curling.

This curler is made of bronze, with the small curling tong at the far end of the horse, beneath the outstretched front legs. Personally, I think it unlikely this piece actually functioned as a hair curler, the curling part seems far too small for any long locks; instead I think it is the galloping horse which is the main focal point. The horse could be a symbol of an elite, given the fancy plumage on its head it is clearly not a run of the mill specimen, but perhaps bedecked for a specific event or person.

Petrie’s Peers:

It is difficult to establish an absolute date for man working with horses, a 15,000 year old carving may depict a horsehead with bridle marks upon it has  been discovered (Lawrence, 223); thus the equestrian-human relationship was well established prior to the 19^th century. For both Ancient Egyptians and Victorians, riding on a horse had an element of the elite, be it of military or social standing. Sitting astride a horse gives a literal height, as well as a statement of wealth and social standing. Even today, the so called ‘Sport of Kings’[4], horse racing, has a global following, whilst fox hunting remains an elitist sport that denotes social hierarchy as well as an individual’s wealth (Lawrence, 225).

In Sewell’s Black Beauty (first published 1877) horses are used to represent different tracts of society, even adopting anthropomorphic qualities in a parable of pride and hardship.  Horses clearly are a vehicle for human society to represent facets of their own identity, as well as a practical economic means. Any viewer would recognise this hair curler as horse, but would they see an elite symbol of Kingship, a companion, or a labourer for industrial and transport purposes?

 

The Menagerie:

I initially chose this piece purely for aesthetic reason, it is unquestionably beautiful and unlike many other bronzes within the collection. However, after a bit of light delving, it is evident horses are far more rooted in the human psyche that may be immediately apparent. Whilst it may be a somewhat commonplace animal, I think this horse with his ceremonial plumed head and athletic gallop has a well-deserved place in our Petrie Menagerie.

 

Next week we dive into the Nilotic depths to cavort with fish and dolphins, plus I am writing about the one creature on this planet of which I am scared[5].

 

Edmund works at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology as the Projects Coordinator. He graduated from the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, in 2012 and plays sport for UCL almuni and ULU.