About this artwork
A snake lies coiled in a figure-eight shape on top of this empty box designed to hold a mummified animal. Ancient Egyptians presented objects like this in temples as votive gifts to gods and goddesses, tailoring the enclosed mummified animal to one that had a specific connection with the deity whose favor was sought. Such a gift in a sacred space could help ensure that the prayer would be received. The hieroglyphic inscription on the front of this box names the worshiper who dedicated it and invokes Atum, a creator god whom the ancient Egyptians sometimes depicted in the form of a snake.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of Africa
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Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
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Title
- Box for a Mummified Animal with Snake Figure
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Place
- Egypt (Object made in)
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Date
- 664 BCE–30 BCE
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Medium
- Copper alloy
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Inscriptions
- Inscribed with prayer to Atum
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Dimensions
- 4.1 × 5 × 8.1 cm (1 5/8 × 2 × 3 3/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Purchased with funds provided by Charles L. Hutchinson and Henry H. Getty
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Reference Number
- 1892.159
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/135993/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.