Skip to Content

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

Skip to Page Content
  2. ...
  3. Figurine of a Dog
    1. Exhibitions
    2. Special Exhibitions
    3. Kelsey in Focus
    4. Kelsey in Focus: Installment #11
  2. [X] close

Figurine of a Dog

  2. Permanent Exhibition
  3. Special Exhibitions
    1. Upcoming Exhibitions
    2. Past Exhibitions
    3. Object Spotlights: Crossroads of Culture, 400–1800
    4. Kelsey in Focus
  5. Online Exhibitions

Figurine of a Dog

Clay, pigment
Graeco-Roman Period (1st–3rd century CE)
Karanis, Egypt. U-M excavations, 1932. KM 6909

With pointy ears, a curly tail, and a bell or amulet on a collar around its neck, this dog seems happy to see you. Red pigment was found inside the dog’s ears and on its paws; yellow pigment on its tail, back, outer ears, and collar; and pink pigment on its face, chest, stomach, and legs.

Color reconstruction of the dog (KM 6909), created with the help of Kelsey Museum graphic designer Eric Campbell.
Handheld Dino-Lite microscope image of the transition from yellow to pink on the stomach of the dog (KM 6909).
Handheld Dino-Lite microscope image of traces of red and pink paint on the front leg of the dog (KM 6909).
Handheld Dino-Lite microscope image of traces of red paint in the ear of the dog (KM 6909).
The dog figurine (KM 6909) with only traces of pigment visible.

3D Printed Copies of KM 6909
Plastic filament, paint
Modern reproductions

Painted by two different artists, these 3D printed copies reflect the red, yellow, and pink pigments found while examining the dog figurine with a digital microscope.

Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
434 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1390
(734) 764-9304
(734) 763-8976
Sitemap
© 2025 Regents of the University of Michigan