Amulet of a rearing cobra with a Hathor-emblem head
In Ancient Egypt, deities are often depicted with a human body and an animal head. Less frequently, a human head was attached to the body of an animal, in this case a cobra. The snake is shown rearing on a low base; its weight is placed on the first, bottom segment of the body and on the tip of the tail, which protrudes slightly over the back of the base. Its body is only bent twice, so that the cobra rears up high. In the center of the snake’s wide hood is a vertical column of ventral plates. A crisscross pattern marks the upper part of the hood, with three diagonal ventral scales framing the lower part of the vertical column. Emerging from the hood is a human head wearing a long, tripartite wig bound with ribbons. The ears are very narrow where they meet the face and then widen, as is typical for cow’s ears. The sound box of a sistrum (a cultic musical instrument) on top of the head takes the shape of a small shrine framed by inward curving volutes. Behind the back of the head is a pierced loop for suspension. For an identification of the deity represented here, please see the curatorial interpretation below.
Artwork Details
- Title: Amulet of a rearing cobra with a Hathor-emblem head
- Period: Third Intermediate Period–Late Period
- Date: ca. 1070–332 BCE
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Faience
- Dimensions: H. 6.4 × W. 1.1 × D. 2.8 cm (2 1/2 × 7/16 × 1 1/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.194.2245
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1070–664 B.C.
ca. 872–664 BCE
664–525 BCE
27 B.C.–A.D. 14
4th century B.C.
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.