Large Egyptian Faience Sekhmet Amulet

$1,199.81

A biochrome amuletic pendant of the lion-headed goddess, Sekhmet, with a dorsal pillar and loop. The faïence is richly coloured, and black pigment has been added to highlight the wig. Her arms are elongated and almost reach the knee, while her waist is impossibly small. She stands in a typical pose, with the left foot extended before the right, adding a sense of animation to the amulet.

Date: Circa 332 - 30 BC
Period: Ptolemaic Period
Condition: Good condition.

SOLD

SKU: AS-1130 Category: Tags: , ,

The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife.

Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. Small amulets depicting gods and goddesses seem to have induced the protective powers of the deity. On the other hand, small representations of anatomical features or creatures suggest that the wearer required protection over a specific body part, or that he/she desired the skills of a particular animal. Amulets depicting animals were very common in the Old Kingdom Period, whilst representations of deities gained popularity in the Middle Kingdom.

Sekhmet was the fierce goddess of the Memphite area, forming a powerful trio with her husband, the creator-god Ptah, and their son, Nerfertum. Sekhmet was goddess of the sun and war: she symbolised the scorching heat of the sun, and brought plague and pestilence. She was seen as the fiercest of warriors, and was the protector of the pharaohs. It was said that the desert was caused by her breath alone, and she was rendered as a lion because this big cat was the bravest hunter known to the Egyptians. Her destructive wrath could be placated, however, by her priestesses performing annual rituals before statues of the goddess. This has led to many images of Sekhmet being preserved.

To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.

Weight 14.0 g
Dimensions H 6.0 cm
Culture

Region

Egyptian Mythology

Country

Faience

Reference: For similar see, Museum of fine arts Boston, accession number, 11.1101. Literature: See Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, item 19a.

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