Uraeus

Amulet of a lion-headed uraeus

Amulet of a lion-headed uraeus

An amulet of a lion-headed uraeus is a powerful and symbolic piece of ancient Egyptian jewelry, often designed to convey protection, strength, and divine authority. In ancient Egyptian symbolism, the uraeus is a representation of a serpent, typically a cobra, which is used as a symbol of sovereignty, protection, and divine power. The uraeus was...

Plaque of Amenhotep III flanked by two uraei. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 30.8.334

Plaque of Amenhotep III flanked by two uraei

On this piece the uraeus cobra functions as the protector of the royal name, the name of king Amenhotep III “The Lord of Maat is Re” is in the center of the plaque. The top and center part of the inscription is written twice and the direction of the hieroglyphs was reversed. Only the very...

Statue of Queen Iset. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 37417; CG 42072

Statue of Queen Iset

The Queen Iset or Isis, was the mother of King Thutmose III, second great royal wife of King Thutmose II. The Queen wears a large wig, with two uraeus at the forehead, the left one wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt and the right one wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt. The base...

Statue of King Ramesses II as a child and the god Hauron

Statue of Ramesses II as a child

This statue represents King Ramesses II as a child, sitting in front of the Canaanite sun god Hauron, who is in the shape of a hawk. The king is presented in the typical manner for an Egyptian child: naked, his finger to his mouth, with a large sidelock of youth hanging from the right side...

Golden Head of the God Osiris

Gold Head Amulet of Osiris

Amulet showing the head of the god Osiris, on his head he wears the White Hedjet Crown of Upper Egypt on which the uraeus stands out. The cult and images of the god have undergone profound changes over time. For example, Osiris, lord of the underworld, is also included in the solar cycle: it is...

Diadem of King Tutankhamun

Diadem of Tutankhamun

The gold diadem of Tutankhamun was designed to secure the wig of the king during ceremonies and to protect his forehead in the hereafter. It is a multicolored masterpiece, decorated with gold cloisonnés inlaid with circles of carnelian and edged with inlays of turquoise, lapis lazuli, and blue glass. At the center front are the...

Diadem of Princess Sithathoriunet

When Flinders Petrie and Guy Brunton explored the shaft tomb of Princess Sithathoriunet in 1914 (located in the funerary complex of Senusret II at El Lahun), they found little apart from her red granite sarcophagus and a set of canopic jars, the vessels which accompanied each burial to house the internal organs. Then they discovered...

Mask of Tutankhamun

Mask of Tutankhamun

The gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun is an example of the highest artistic and technical achievements of the ancient Egyptians in the New Kingdom. The exact portrayal of the king’s facial features achieved here made it possible for his soul to recognize him and return to his mummified body. Thus ensuring his resurrection. After being...

Golden Uraeus of Senusret II

Uraeus of Senusret II

The golden uraeus of Senusret II was discovered by Flinders Petrie in 1920 during his excavations around the Pyramid of Senusret II at Lahun. This piece of jewelry was thus likely part of a headdress or crown. The rearing cobra, known as a uraeus, was a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity and divine authority in...