Snake Staff
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.This object is not part of The Met collection. It was in the Museum for a special exhibition and has been returned to the lender.
The copper twisted cobra staff and the female figurine with leonine ears in the case to the right were found at the bottom of a tomb shaft with other magical objects, including an apotropaic rod segment and papyri inscribed with ritual birthing chants as well as other texts. It has been suggested the tomb belonged to a nurse or magician, but these objects simply demonstrate the importance of rebirth in the concept of the afterlife.
The copper twisted cobra staff and the female figurine with leonine ears in the case to the right were found at the bottom of a tomb shaft with other magical objects, including an apotropaic rod segment and papyri inscribed with ritual birthing chants as well as other texts. It has been suggested the tomb belonged to a nurse or magician, but these objects simply demonstrate the importance of rebirth in the concept of the afterlife.
Artwork Details
- Title: Snake Staff
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 13
- Date: ca. 1802-1640 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Ramesseum
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: H. 7 cm (2 3/4 in.); W. 16 cm (6 5/16 in.)
- Credit Line: The Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (E.63.1896)
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art