Taweret
The goddess Taweret has the body of a standing pregnant hippopotamus, the limbs and paws of a lion, and the tail of a crocodile down her back, characteristics fitting her fierce protectiveness in the aid of the vulnerable.
The stone of this example is quite possibly hematite which was popular for certain amulets including Taweret in the late periods. Because the stone is quite hard, the forms are very simplified - the crocodile tail is only indicated by seams at the sides along the length of her figure below her wig, her crown base (modius) is reduced to a kind of domed cap, and her paws are paraticularly undefined. A hole pierces the statuette from side to side behind her head.
The stone of this example is quite possibly hematite which was popular for certain amulets including Taweret in the late periods. Because the stone is quite hard, the forms are very simplified - the crocodile tail is only indicated by seams at the sides along the length of her figure below her wig, her crown base (modius) is reduced to a kind of domed cap, and her paws are paraticularly undefined. A hole pierces the statuette from side to side behind her head.
Artwork Details
- Title: Taweret
- Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 664–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Hematite? basalt?
- Dimensions: H. 4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.); W. 1.5 cm (9/16 in.); D. 1.7 cm (11/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910
- Object Number: 10.130.2037
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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