Fire Breathing Cobra

      My name is Kimberly Perez and I attended the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. While on my visit i viewed the Egyptian art exhibit. There were many different pieces that exposed many beliefs, and important icons held within the culture. Many people circled the sarcophagus and stelle because they were the most identifiable pieces to the culture however i was drawn to something a bit smaller and not as easily identifiable.

   I found a figurine that measured about thirteen inches tall and was made in the twenty-sixth dynasty,circa 664-525 B.C. The figure I was so intrigued by was sculpture in the round and standing flat footed in the silent march position. The figure is depicted in human form with a head of a lioness. She is standing tall adorned with a headdress that is complete with a sun disc and Uraeus. The statuette has one hand by her side with a clutched fist and another extending out in front of her also with a clutched fist. The human figure is treated in such a supple manner, with contours of the breast, abdomen, and thighs which are clearly visible beneath the thin cloth she is wearing. Incised details are carefully given to areas like the lion mane, broad collar, armbands, and bracelets.

When I first saw the statue I had no idea who she was or what she symbolized in the Egyptian culture but, after reading the curator notes I discovered this was a statuette of the goddess Wadjet. This particular statuette was used as an offering in the temple of Wadjet which is evident by the inscription of the donors name on the base of the statue. The curator notes told me who she was but why she was important was still a mystery. Upon further research i discovered that Wadjet was one of the original goddesses and was the daughter of the sun god Ra hence the sun dis on her head. She was viewed as a protector and fierce warrior which explained the cobra on her head. She was seen as a figure who would strike any enemy of the king. She was the protector of  upper Egypt and would later be depicted with her sister the protector of  lower Egypt symbolizing unification and a whole Egypt. 

The trip to LACMA was very informative and was something nice to do on a Friday night. The museum was free for people who lived in Los Angeles county and they had a live jazz band. They do require an ID with a Los Angeles county address on it for free admission.