Art Resource - ART200520

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Gold cobra wearing the crown of Lower Egypt, Egyptian, Late Period, after 600 BC. The fact that the cobra from this decorative ornament wears the red crown of Lower Egypt suggests that it represents the goddess Wadjet, patron of the town of Buto. It could also be interpreted as either Hathor who, in the guise of the eye of Re, was sent to destroy mankind for being disrespectful, or as Sekhmet who was the fiery weapon of the god Re and who could be sent out to destroy the enemies of the gods. Re bequeathed this gift of potential destruction, represented by the rearing cobra, to his descendants, the kings of Egypt. The fine workmanship and the material used indicates that it belonged to a piece of royal furniture, such as a chair. The rearing cobra was used as a decorative element on furniture, vessels and jewellery. It had strong links with kingship and with protection and was worn on the brow of the king as a sign of his divinity. Images of Egyptian gods also bear the rearing cobra.
EA, 16518

Location British Museum/London/Great Britain

Unique Identifier ART200520

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 1001px × 1600px

Photo Credit Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY

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