amulet
- Museum number
- 2013,5012.13
- Description
-
Mould-made amulet in glazed composition representing a cobra with human arms, probably Nehebkau; hands reaching towards the snake's mouth; end of cobra's tail appears at the back; small loop for suspension behind head; turquoise blue glaze; only top half preserved.
- Production date
- 664 BC - 332 BC (possibly)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 2.20 centimetres
-
Length: 2.20 centimetres
-
Width: 0.95 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
Found unregistered, but with other objects from Naukratis with labels from the EEF from Petrie's excavations at Naukratis in 1885.
-
Two labels that were found in the box indicate finds from the Temple of Apollo in Naukratis, VIth cent. B.C. They concern a "glazed-sand figure" and a "glazed-sand head".
This glazed composition figure finds parallels in Late Dynastic Egypt (Germond 2005, 71, no. 23 for a complete example). The deity represented is probably Nehebkau. In addition to the human arms, this snake deity could be represented with or without human legs (Herrmann 2003, 115, nos 568-9). He is the son of the goddess of harvests Renenutet according to some traditions and often confused with her. As a snake, Nehebkau could have protected against venomous bites. However, a link with prosperity and fertility can also be assumed.
Germond, P. 2005, Le monde symbolique des amulettes égyptiennes de la collection Jacques-Édouard Berger, Milan.
Herrmann, C. 2003, Die ägyptischen Amulette der Sammlungen BIBEL + ORIENT der Universität Freiburg Schweiz (Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, Series Archaeologica 22).
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Rather fair, though incomplete
- Acquisition date
- 1886 (?)
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 2013,5012.13