<em>Palette or Amulet in the Shape of a Turtle</em>, ca. 3500–3300 B.C.E. Graywacke, 1 15/16 x 1 3/4 in. (5 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.619. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.07.447.619_erg456.jpg)

Palette or Amulet in the Shape of a Turtle, ca. 3500–3300 B.C.E. Graywacke, 1 15/16 x 1 3/4 in. (5 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.619. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.07.447.619_erg456.jpg)

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Palette or Amulet in the Shape of a Turtle

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

This object represents a river turtle, which early Egyptians may have considered a sinister creature of the muddy depths. By making an image of it, they believed they could put its power to good use.

MEDIUM Graywacke

Place Excavated: El Ma'mariya, Egypt

DATES ca. 3500–3300 B.C.E.

PERIOD Predynastic Period, Naqada II Period

DIMENSIONS 1 15/16 x 1 3/4 in. (5 x 4.4 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 07.447.619

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Small, thin, flate, tutle-shaped, slate palette. The head with marked snout and all four legs, with toes indicated by notches on both faces, are well defined and protruding. Elegant form. Perforated by string-hole at hind end. Discolored as if by use. Condition: Intact.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Palette or Amulet in the Shape of a Turtle, ca. 3500–3300 B.C.E. Graywacke, 1 15/16 x 1 3/4 in. (5 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.619. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.07.447.619_erg456.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.07.447.619_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 9/6/2007

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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