Taweret

Unknown

664–30 B.C. · Hematite? basalt? · Egyptian Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

664–30 B.C.

Medium

Hematite? basalt?

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910