This beautiful crocodile is indeed a dramatic presence, with its black monochrome color and the simple but effective etching of the scales onto the terracotta. During the time that it was created, the crocodile was an awesome creature indeed and was not only feared but revered as well. The artist, in turn successfully created the realism of the creature to provoke the same feelings that the real crocodile created. The gaping mouth is a large part of this, and it is this reality that causes such pieces to become timeless works of art.