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Ruth Garrido Vila

This small lizard sarcophagus is made of bronze and belongs to Ancient Egypt, specifically to the Late Period (664 - 332 BC), a period characterised by an intense production of votive and ritual objects for temples and popular religious practices. With dimensions of 2.5 x 2.1 x 6 cm, the piece exhibits excellent conservation, with a greenish patina characteristic of ancient bronze, which reinforces its authenticity and antiquity.

In the Egyptian context, zoomorphic sarcophagi were used to contain mummies of small sacred animals, which were offered as vows to the gods or placed in tombs as protective amulets. In this case, it is a sarcophagus for lizards, animals associated in Egyptian mythology with the god Sobek, a crocodile deity related to the Nile, fertility and protection. These animals were also believed to possess apotropaic powers, meaning they could ward off evil and protect the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.

The sarcophagus has a rectangular shape with an incised relief on the top, where two elongated figures representing lizards in bas-relief can be distinguished, sculpted in a schematic but recognisable manner, following the Egyptian style of linear and simplified representation. The parallel arrangement of the lizards suggests ritual symmetry, evoking a symbolism of duality and protection. The lower part of the object is hollow, indicating its use as a container, possibly for mummified remains or some symbolic element related to the cult of Sobek or protective funerary practices.

The use of bronze in this piece not only adds durability, but also confers a sacred character, since metal objects were considered eternal and incorruptible by the Egyptians, making them especially suitable for ritual purposes. The green patina, a product of the oxidation of the copper present in the bronze, reinforces its authenticity and suggests a long exposure to environmental conditions that have contributed to its preservation.

During the Late Period, the practice of mummifying small animals and placing them in bronze sarcophagi became common, reflecting the popular devotion to zoomorphic deities. These objects were deposited in sacred necropolises as votive offerings or as funerary accompaniment to guarantee protection and rebirth in the afterlife. The choice of the lizard not only alludes to its connection with Sobek, but also to its symbolism of regeneration, since these reptiles were observed renewing their skin, which was associated with the cycle of life and death.

Similar examples have been found in archaeological sites such as Thebes and Fayum, where Sobek was venerated as the god of the Nile and protector of agricultural fertility. These zoomorphic sarcophagi were placed in animal temples or catacombs, often alongside other crocodile or fish sarcophagi, emphasising the importance of the Nile ecosystem in Egyptian religion.

The natural patina, uniform wear, and modelling technique are consistent with Late Period Egyptian style and production.

In short, this lizard sarcophagus is an exceptional piece for both its artistic quality and its profound religious symbolism. Not only does it represent Late Period Egyptian funerary art, but it also offers a glimpse into devotional practices and the worldview regarding protection and rebirth in the afterlife. Its excellent state of preservation and apparent authenticity make it a valuable example of Egyptian votive art.

Acquired from a Spanish private collection, F.C.B in the 70's.
- The piece includes an authenticity certificate. 

The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged, this process can take between 2 and 4 weeks.

IMPORTANT: Due to the new laws on the export of archaeological pieces, we have decided to NO LONGER sell outside the European territory for the following countries: SWITZERLAND & UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
For other destinations out of European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive LICENSE EXPORTATION by the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subjected to export taxes. The taxes will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it:
Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. / From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10 %.


Late period 664-332 B.C

Ancient Egypt Sarcophagus, Bronze double lizard - 2.5 cm

Archaeology

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Ancient Egypt Sarcophagus, Bronze double lizard - 2.5 cm

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