A Victorian Taxidermy Specimen of a South American Spectacled Caiman
A Victorian Taxidermy Specimen of a South American Spectacled Caiman ‘Caiman Crocodilus’
19th Century
Size: 102cm long - 40¼ ins long

See: Finch & Co catalogue no.17, item no.15, for an example of an American Black Alligator
19th Century
Size: 102cm long - 40¼ ins long

See: Finch & Co catalogue no.17, item no.15, for an example of an American Black Alligator
The ancient Egyptians worshipped the crocodile as the god Sobek who was often portrayed as a man with a crocodile’s head. Its cult centre at Medinet El-Fayum was known as ‘Crocodilopolis’, but numerous other shrines and temples were dedicated in his honour throughout the Nile Valley. The temples of Sobek were usually provided with a pool containing sacred live crocodiles looked after by priests dedicated to their welfare. During the 12th and 13th Dynasties (1985-1750BC) the cult of Sobek was particularly prominent as shown in the birth name of all eight rulers of the 13th Dynasty: Sobekhotep, and in the birth name of the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty: Sobekneferu who was the first attested female Pharaoh. The name ‘Sobekneferu’ means ‘beautiful crocodile’.
A Victorian Taxidermy Specimen of a South American Spectacled Caiman
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