Mortuary Figure of the Zodiac Sign: Hare (Cancer)

A standing figure in a long, loose robe with sleeves folded across the chest, its head modeled as a hare with upright ears, an open eye and a small muzzle. The dark gray earthenware shows traces of pale slip and wear across the surface, and the figure rests on a flat, squared base against a plain ground.

Look closer: Small pale eyes and the slightly raised ears are easy to overlook against the dark surface.

Artist

Unknown

Date

500s

Medium

gray earthenware with traces of slip

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2348 × 3400 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Norweb Collection