Snake Coffin

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

A cobra with a man’s head represented the creator god Atum. This deity swam in the primeval waters that existed before the earth came into being. He was therefore associated with the creation of the world, which in Egyptian thought reoccurred every day.



MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: Egypt

DATES 664-30 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 26, or later

PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

DIMENSIONS 5 3/4 x 1 7/8 x 22 in. (14.6 x 4.8 x 55.9 cm) 5 3/4 x 1 7/8 x 22 in. (14.6 x 4.8 x 55.9 cm) (show scale)

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

ACCESSION NUMBER 36.624

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CAPTION Snake Coffin, 664-30 B.C.E. Bronze, 5 3/4 x 1 7/8 x 22 in. (14.6 x 4.8 x 55.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 36.624. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 36.624_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 36.624_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012 "CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object. overall, 36.624_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Oblong bronze receptacle, probably for mummified reptile, surmounted by long uraeus serpent with human head. Uraeus and double crown on head, incised details. No inscription but snake is undoubtedly a representation of Atum. Condition: Good. Apparently it has been assembled from two pieces for there is a repair at about the center, ancient (?). The end of the base is missing.