Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 19 / 1307–1196 BCE
Uraeus (Rearing Cobra)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Uraeus (Rearing Cobra) as metalwork (Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 19 · 1307–1196 BCE).
The word uraeus comes from an Egyptian term for “rising/rearing up,” describing the cobra’s position.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as Silver-copper alloy with inlays (copper, feldspar, turquoise, obsidian?) and gilding.
The museum's collection notes: Made from a silver-copper alloy, this rearing cobra likely served as a uraeus, symbolizing royal or divine power in ancient Egypt. Its lowermost portion likely fit into the top of the head of a large sculpture, while its body and tail seem cut short, perhaps making room for a solar disk to rise up behind. The eyes are inlaid, and six cavities for additional inlay remain on the expanded hood, the lowermost still intact, the others likely once filled with brightly colored blue and red stone. Much of the remaining surface may once have been gilded, to judge from remaining traces of gold on the back.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtUraeus (Rearing Cobra)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.