Pregnant Hippopotamus with Crocodiles

Pregnant Hippopotamus with Crocodiles

 The subject of this relief is uncertain. The image of a pregnant hippopotamus with a lion’s mane is similar to the goddess Taweret. This goddess, with the addition of a crocodile on her back and another nipping her paw, is often found in Egyptian astronomical texts in connection with the northern constellations.

However, the inscription at the left names Hapi, the god of the Nile’s inundation, who has nothing to do with the stars. Perhaps the strong denotations of fertility of both Taweret and Hapi hold a clue to the meaning of the scene.

MEDIUM Limestone

Place Made: Egypt

DATES ca. 664-30 B.C.E.

PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period (possibly)

DIMENSIONS 14 5/16 x 13 1/2 x 2 3/4 in., 23 lb. (36.4 x 34.3 x 7 cm, 23 lb.) 

 

 

Brooklyn museum

 

brooklynmuseum.org

Figured Ostracon with Head of Akhenaten

Figured Ostracon with Head of Akhenaten


ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 11/16 x 5 5/8 x 1 in. (11.9 x 14.3 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 36.876

 Limestone trial piece with ink sketch of the head of Akhenaten and to the right a clenched hand. The king wears the elongated crown with royal uraeus. His features include the usual long skull, very full lips and receding forehead. . Condition: A large fragment has been glued in place at the top of the piece. A small chip is missing at the thumb. The upper part of the drawing of the crown is very faint.

Brooklyn Museum

brooklynmuseum.org