Egyptian art / mythology - relief sculpture of Nekhbet and Wadjet / Vulture and Cobra

Wadjet & Nekhbet

The two ladies of upper & lower Egypt

Dimensions :-

Height - 14.5 cm / 5-3/4 inches

Base width - 16.5 cm / 6-1/2 inches

Depth - 2.5 cm / 1 inch


On offer here is a raised relief replica featuring the vulture goddess Nekhbet and the cobra goddess Wadjet of Egyptian mythology. They represent the important deities of upper & lower Egypt. They are well known in a hieroglyphic context when introducing a kings name.

Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone this incredibly detailed piece has an aged, light ochre coloration.


Background information

In this fragment the two goddesses are resting on two wicker baskets and this configuration can be translated as 'Nebtj' - the 'Two Ladies'.

Nekhbet - the vulture, was associated with southern, upper Egypt. A dominant figure in the Theban sky, Egypt's largest bird would roost in the imposing cliffs overlooking tomb and temple.

The vulture was also synonymous with the Queen of Egypt being identified with the consort of Amun known as the goddess Mut. More elaborate depictions of humanoid Goddesses and Queens wanting to show the connection to Mut, can usually be detected if they are wearing a feathered dress or other accoutrements with feather details. Known as 'Rishi" the feathered details are often found painted or carved into coffins thus enveloping the deceased in the protection of the mother for eternity.
Mut was but one of several mother Goddesses worshipped at different stages over the course of Egyptian history. Well known mother Goddesses include Hathor and Bastet, Isis and Nepthys, each with their respective deified offspring. Mut is uniquely styled during the New Kingdom as the mother of Khonsu the moon god. Giving birth to the moon god formed the Theban triad - Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and son Khonsu overseeing Ancient Egypt at its Zenith reigning supremely as the core of religious order and practice.

The Queen's headdress during New Kingdom times would frequently depict a vulture in a most attractive, and protective arrangement. The vulture's head protruding on the forehead, sometimes coupled with the cobra, showed great detail and symbolism. The Queen would thus be seen as the embodiment of the goddess.

The other highly detailed creature in this scene depicts Wadjet, the Cobra of lower, northern Egypt. She was the patron deity of the delta city known as Buto and could also be known by this name in the late period.

The cobra was the protector of Kings and Queens and is the symbol that rests on the brow of every king, poised to spit poison at the enemy of Egypt.

In earliest history when the Egyptians looked up at the sprawling star clustered arm of the milky way, they associated it with the swirling form of Wadjet as a heavenly representation.

Hathor also had an association with the milky way as the 'star spangled cow' and the two goddess shared this feature in mythological teachings.

*As each item is handmade, slight colour variations may occur.