Hieroglyphic figures (4)
I believe the answer is:
asps
'hieroglyphic figures' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for asps that I've seen before include "Cleopatra's cobras" , "Cleopatra's snakes" , "because of their venom?" , "Poplars" , "people" .)