Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Lion-Headed Goddess
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
The ancient Egyptians donated figures of their gods for use in temple rituals; smaller images served as amulets to ensure divine protection. Goddesses in particular were viewed as protective deities. From earliest times, Egyptians venerated a wide circle of feline-headed female deities, such as Sakhmet, Tefnut, Wadjet, and Bastet.
This small silver figure represents Wadjet. She is standing wearing a long female garment, amulets and bracelets. At the top of her head is a large erected uraeus (cobra serpent). The goddess holds a ritual instrument in front of her body with her left hand; it is a usekh-collar with a lioness-head (also called an aegis), which has a protective function.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2014-2015 | Die Entstehung der Welt. Ägyptens letzter Schöpfungsmythos (The Origin of the World. Egypt’s Last Creation Myth). Roemer- und Pelizaeus- Museum, Hildesheim; Kunsthalle Leoben, Leoben. |
| 2013-2014 | Egypt’s Mysterious Book of the Faiyum. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2006-2007 | Daily Magic in Ancient Egypt. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 1979-1980 | Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 5/5/1977 | Examination | examined for condition |
Geographies
Egypt (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 3 5/8 x W: 1 x D: 13/16 in. (9.2 x 2.5 x 2 cm); H on mount: 3 7/8 x W: 1 x D: 1 1/4 in. (9.9 x 2.5 x 3.1 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, by 1931
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
57.1421