Cleveland Museum of Art

Frog Amulet

Date

c. 1380–1330 BCE

Medium

polychrome faience

Culture

Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18

Department

Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The frog, because of its numerous offspring, was a symbol of fertility. In fact, the hieroglyphic sign for 100,000 was a tadpole. Frog amulets were very popular both in semiprecious stone and in faience, and were worn by women hoping for an easy delivery. Both sexes wore the frog in expectation of a successful rebirth in the afterlife. This frog amulet was made from faience, a fine type of self-glazing ceramic that is characteristically turquoise blue. It is a representation of Heqet, the frog goddess associated with childbirth and fertility.

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