Crocodile Figure

A finely worked crocodile carved from black steatite mounted on a rectangular base. Depicted with head raised and tail tip curled round. Scales indicated in detail. The back of the figure is slightly chipped and the front of the base is broken. Dating is uncertain, could be earlier. Egyptians worshipped the crocodile as the god Sobek. They often wore scarabs with images of the god to protect them from crocodiles. The god’s ferociousness could also be called on at times. A story tells how one day, a magician turned a small crocodile figure into a giant living reptile and sent it to kill his wife’s lover.