Amulet of a Crocodile
Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12 (about 1985–1773 BCE)
Medium
Carnelian
Dimensions
0.7 × 1 × 3 cm (5/16 × 7/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
Classification
amulet
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
140808
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This crocodile was carved from carnelian, a semiprecious stone with bands of deep oranges and reds. Ancient Egyptians had several terms for small objects like this, which we call “amulets.”Worn by the living and the dead, these charms were meant to bring protection, health, and good luck, ensuring the bearer’s well-being in both life and the afterlife. The crocodiles that previously lived on the banks of the Nile River in Egypt posed a serious threat to nearby livestock and travelers. Ancient E...
About the Artist
Ancient Egyptian
Ancient Egyptian artists, a collective of highly skilled artisans spanning over three millennia from the Predynastic period (c. 6000–3150 BC) to the Roman era (30 BC–4th century AD), produced some of humanity's most enduring masterpieces. These anonymous craftsmen, often organized in state-sponsored workshops, lived in dedicated communities like Deir el-Medina near Luxor during the New Kingdom (c....