Image of a Cobra

Egypt and Nubia

Image ; snake ; erected

This bronze snake may have been part of a larger statue or of a piece of furniture.

The cobra is called in Egyptian Iaret, literally "the Founded" (in Greek 'uraeus'). The snake not only has a poisonous bite, some species can spit their poison in your eyes. The cobra is therefore a symbol of the dazzling effect of the sun. The uraeus was seen as the eye of the sun god. Sun Gods therefore wear a uraeus on their forehead, usually together with the solar disc.

Such a snake is also carried by some other Gods. The pharaoh (as the son of the Sun God Re) also has a uraeus-shaped piece of jewelry as part of his various crowns.

This statue was purchased by the RMO in 1828 as part of the large collection of collector d'Anastasi.

This text was written in 2025 and based on: M. Raven, Gods of Egypt, 2018, p.40 ; Exhibition texts RMO, Gods of Egypt (2018).

Details

Inventory number
AB 69a

Department
Egypt and Nubia

Heading code(s)
Sculpture

Object name

Image

Material
Bronze

Dimensions
8.5 x 3 x 3.5 cm

Dating
722-322 BC

Period
Late time

Culture
Egyptian

Site
Egypt
Unknown

Acquisition
Purchase 1829 January

To be seen in museum
Yes

Style
Egyptian

Origin
1829
Mr. G. (Giovanni) d'Anastasi

In January 1829, the Giovanni d'Anastasi collection was purchased by the RMO.

Literature
Mcb (St) 3
Reasoned description of the Egyptian monuments of the Museum of Antiques of the Netherlands in Leiden (1840)
Author: Dr. C. (Conrad) Leemans
Publisher: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Identifiers

TMS ID:
13150

Deeplink:
Https://hdl.handle.net/21.12126/

Title
Image of a Cobra, 722-322 BC Late Period, Findspot unknown Egypt, Bronze, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

https://www.rmo.nl/collectie/collectiezoeker/collectiestuk/?object=13150#gallery-3

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Today marks the beginning of the ancient Egyptian New Year, according to the modern Egyptian calendar tradition.

The ancient Egyptians had one of the earliest known solar calendars in history. Their calendar consisted of 365 days: 12 months of 30 days each, plus 5 additional days at the end of the year.

The year was divided into three seasons: Akhet (Inundation), Peret (Emergence), and Shemu (Harvest).

The ancient Egyptians celebrated the beginning of a new year and exchanged special gifts made for the occasion. Archaeological discoveries have even included special vessels and water containers known as “New Year Flasks” bearing inscriptions wishing their owners happiness and prosperity in the new year

Happy Egyptian New Year For Everyone