Art Institute of Chicago

Amulet of a Crocodile

Egyptian

Date

New Kingdom–Third Intermediate Period (?) (about 1550–664 BCE)

Medium

Faience

Culture

Egypt

Department

Arts of Africa

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This amulet likely depicts a crocodile from a bird’s-eye view, a change from the more common profile perspective used for depictions of animals within ancient Egyptian art. Ancient Egyptians had several terms for small objects like this, which we call “amulets.” Worn by the living and the dead, these charms were meant to bring protection, health, and good luck, ensuring the bearer’s well-being in both life and the afterlife. The crocodiles that previously lived on the banks of the Nile River in Egypt posed a serious threat to nearby livestock and travelers along the river. Ancient Egyptians believed that wearing images of dangerous animals could enable an individual to harness some of their power and counteract their risk; artisans pierced this amulet with a small hole so that it could be strung like a bead and worn. Ancient Egyptians also worshipped crocodiles as a physical manifestation of Sobek, a god of the primeval waters, and represented him with the animal’s features. People revered Sobek as a deity of the earliest forces of creation. He represented both the danger and the life-giving aspects of the water.

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