Unknown Lid, 5th century B.C., Bronze 12.5 × 22.6 cm (4 15/16 × 8 7/8 in.) The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
If this is a lid for a lebes (a type of ancient Greek cauldron, used at one time for cooking), as is thought, then its Etruscan craftsman had a sense of humor when fashioning the handle. Probably the model was flopped near the warmth of the metalsmithy, waiting for dinnertime and a chance to beg for some of whatever was in the family pot.
public domain This is a "Mimick, or Gethulian-Dog," as recorded by Edward Topsell in his natural history of c. 1600. It's described as "being apt to imitate all things it seeth, for which cause some have thought that it was conceived by an Ape; but in face sharpe and black like a Hedge-hog, having a short recurved body; very long legs, shaggie hair, and a short tail..." Apparently in ancient Egypt this sort of dog was taught all manner of tricks. Whatever breed could this have been? Topsell, Edward, 1572-1625?. The History of Four-footed Beasts And Serpents... The whole rev., cor. and inl. with the addition of two useful physical tables, by J[ohn] R[owland] M.D. London: Printed by E. Cotes, for G. Sawbridge [etc.], 1658. p. 127.
found at http://discardingimages.tumblr.com Start your Sunday with this trio of performers and their lovely lightness of foot and paw. Here's a closeup: This scene is found in the manuscript known as "The Maastricht Hours" on folio 112. Here's the whole page . You might also enjoy this blog post on " Medieval Dog Tricks " - I did.
From a 20th-century collection of 1200 Russian proverbs comes this selection, none of which I think I've seen before. Manure does not shame the field. The horse is often wiser than its rider. A stupid dog is not a tiger. The dog that likes to eat partridges is of no use to the hunter. If you deal with dogs, learn how to bark. The cat saw the camel and immediately arched its back. Old mice like fresh lard. If the cat can't eat the fish with its mouth, it will eat it with its eyes. ( Too true - curator ) A wet poodle does not fear water. -- Langnas, Izaak Abram, 1911-. 1200 Russian Proverbs. New York: Philosophical Library, 1960. Passim.
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