Amulet of a Lion-Headed Cobra
Ptolemaic Period–Roman Period, 4th century BCE–4th century CE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
3.2 × 2.2 × 0.9 cm (1 5/16 × 7/8 × 3/8 in.)
Classification
amulet
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
140909
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass amulet, crafted in the form of a lion-headed cobra, offers a fascinating glimpse into the protective magic of ancient Egyptian belief. Measuring just over an inch tall, the tiny object was likely worn or carried as a charm to ward off harm. The hybrid creature combines the cobra’s regal uraeus form—long associated with divine kingship and protection—with the fierce power of a lion, creating a potent symbol of guardianship that would have resonated across centuries of Egyptian tradition. Dating from the Ptolemaic Period through the Roman era, this amulet reflects a time whe...
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....