Amulet in the form of a frog

Numerous small figures of frogs have been found among the offerings at the early temples and shrines in Abydos and Hierakonpolis. The frog goddess Hekat was a protectress of pregnant women, and the frog occurs, along with other creatures natural and fabulous,on wands used for the protection of infants in the Middle Kingdom.

The frog squats on its hind legs with forelegs flexed. The eyes are carved as bulbous excrescences, the large mouth is indicated by a line at the sides. The material has apparently been chosen so that a translucent stripe runs through the centre of the figure imitating the markings on some species of frogs. This type of amulet was especially popular during Dynasty XVIII, to which period this specimen is tentatively dated. The figure is drilled longitudinally, indicating that it could be strung on a necklace as a bead.

Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection 3 volume catalogue, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997).