didoofcarthage: Aryballos in the shape of a hedgehog. Greco-Egyptian, 6th-5th century B.C. Faience.

didoofcarthage:

Aryballos in the shape of a hedgehog. Greco-Egyptian, 6th-5th century B.C. Faience. Walters Art Museum. 

From the Walters:

Perfume and cosmetic containers in the shape of hedgehogs became common during the 6th and 5th century BC and were probably invented in the Greek colony of Naukratis and the Western Delta region of Egypt. However, hedgehog representation on ships and hedgehog statuettes were common in ancient Egypt from the 3rd millennium BC. The hedgehog’s body armor symbolized protection, and in addition he was seen as one of the sun god’s special animals.