<em>Enigmatic Relief</em>, ca. 664–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 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, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 70.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 70.2_version1_PS6.jpg)

Enigmatic Relief, ca. 664–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 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, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 70.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 70.2_version1_PS6.jpg)

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What is the significance of crocodiles in Egyptian art? Do they symbolize anything in particular?

Because they lived in the Nile river, crocodiles are a prevalent figure in Egyptian art (since they were a common animal).

Egyptians would worship the crocodile God Sobek which is associated with the Nile and the annual flood (and also with pharaonic power, fertility, and military prowess, but served additionally as a protective deity, invoked particularly for protection against the dangers presented by the Nile river). Crocodiles could also represent animals kept in the temple precinct, which were seen as manifestations of thebau, or powers, of the god. The image you are looking at, however, (the pregnant hippopotamus with a lion's mane, similar to the goddess Taweret, with a crocodile on her back and another nipping her paw) is often found in Egyptian astronomical texts and is connected with the northern constellations.

Enigmatic Relief

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

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.) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 70.2

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Portion of a limestone relief. Represented is the goddess Taweret shown in her normal guise of a pregnant hippopotamus with lion's feet and a crocodile upon her back. The goddess is shown striding left with outstretched arms. Before the goddess, and touching one of her hands, is a small crocodile. Behind Taweret is a partially preserved column of text. In front of her-above and below her arms- are preserved portions of smaller inscriptions. Traces of original red pigment appear to be preserved upon her tongue. Condition: Back and sides rough; numerous chips, scratches and encrusted dirt; long surface cracks running from top to bottom through the crocodile upon the back of the goddess.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Enigmatic Relief, ca. 664–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 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, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 70.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 70.2_version1_PS6.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 70.2_version1_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

What is the significance of crocodiles in Egyptian art? Do they symbolize anything in particular?

Because they lived in the Nile river, crocodiles are a prevalent figure in Egyptian art (since they were a common animal).