Figure of crocodile
Unknown Artist
ca. 1981–1640 B.C.
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
L. 13.7 × W. 3.5 × H. 2.1 cm (5 3/8 × 1 3/8 × 13/16 in.)
Classification
Figure, crocodile
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Accession Number
22.1.673
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate wooden figure of a crocodile, carved during Egypt's Middle Kingdom (ca 1981–1640 B.C.), hails from Dynasties 12–13 and measures just 13.7 cm long. Crafted by an unknown artist, its compact form—13.7 × 3.5 × 2.1 cm—suggests it was likely a portable object, perhaps an amulet or votive offering. Wood was a precious medium in ancient Egypt, sourced from imported cedar or local acacia, allowing artisans to capture fine details like the reptile's textured scales and sinuous body with remarkable precision using simple tools. In the Middle Kingdom, a period of renewed stability and arti...