A Beautiful Roman Ceramic Hedgehog, Roman 100 C.E. - 200 C.E.
L. 12 cm
KB_PT_1332
Further images
Provenance
The Private Collection of the Baidun FamilyMahmoud Baidun (1920-1980) founded what would become Khader M Badiun and Sons Galleries in Jerusalem, Isreal. As a young boy, Mahmoud would accompany archeologists, biblical scholars, and visiting delegations on excavation sites all over Jerusalem and other sites within the country. Earning the trust of scholars and archeologists alike, Mahmoud became an indispensable presence and guide to other visiting scholars. When Mr. Baidun entered the antiquities trade, he would be granted trade license under the British Mandate and from the Hashemite Kingdom. When Israel authorized the trade of antiquities, Mahmoud was issued one of the first antiquities licenses issued in the country. He would later forge close relationships with other merchants; slowly building a massive private collection that would go on to sell to political leaders, international museums, and private collectors globally.
The Romans were known for their terracotta figurines, which generally served a religious or ceremonial purpose, and were placed in household shrines or temples. If you look closely at the surface of the figurine’s back, you will notice tiny pinholes from where the sculptor inserted little spikes to create a detailed and naturalistic representation of a hedgehog.