Ancient Egyptian lizard case from Naukratis

Copper alloy rectangular box, closed at one end, and partially sealed at the other. Through the sealed end had been inserted the mummified or desicated remains of a lizard. On the top of the box, along the longest axis, is modelled a lizard, head slightly, tail straight behind it and legs protruding from the sides of the body. A small raised loop is situated to one side of the lizard’s tail, on the edge of the box, another is on the opposite edge near the head. This box is corroded on the surfaces. The over all outer colour is brown and green, though some of the sheared edges are red, and the contents white. The box is filled with probably its original contents, possibly the remains of the lizard. But it is compacted hard. Part of the seal to end, and part of the sides nearest it are missing, to reveal the contents.

Ancient Egyptian lizard case from Naukratis

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1886.31.67.d
  • Material: copper alloy
  • Excavator: E.A. Gardner W.M.F. Petrie
  • Object name: lizard case
  • Dimensions: Length: 50mm , Width: 19mm , Depth: 18mm
  • Published references: Petrie W M F Naukratis 1 1886
  • Site: Naukratis
  • Latitude: 30.901111
  • Longitude: 30.5925