Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A mold-formed faience pendant in the form of a crocodile laying recumbent atop an integral rectangular plinth. The crocodile presents its lengthy reptilian body with dozens of crosshatched scales, a massive tail with a curved tip, and all four legs curled tightly against its muscular body. The tapered head rests atop an integral loop and bears a pair of protruding eyes and a lengthy snout. Remains of pistachio-green glaze are visible across the red-brown ground. This pendant is perhaps representative of Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility who is said to have created the waters of the Nile River. Size: 1.75" L x 0.375" W x 0.4" H (4.4 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm)
Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s
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#165385
Condition
Small chip to one back corner of plinth, with softening to some finer details, and fading to glaze pigment, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to crocodilian form and visible remains of glaze throughout.