The Joy of Ancient Egyptian Amulets |
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Egyptian Faience Amulet of Hatmehit |
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Dear Ancient Art Enthusiast,
Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves with amulets from infancy through, and after, death. Amulets were believed to endow possessors with magic, offer protection, and invoke the powers of specific gods and goddesses. They were usually worn or carried, to transfer their powers directly to their owner.
Amulets also had important meaning in a funerary context; they were wrapped with the body in mummy bandages, to provide protection in the afterlife. Amuletic magic was so important to the protection of the deceased that duplicate amulets were sometimes included in burials. If the primary one didn't work properly, the secondary could take over.
Amulets were generally made of faience and then glazed in blue, green, yellow and turquoise. They also appear in semi-precious stone, bronze, silver and gold. We have recently acquired some stunning pieces in gold, faience and stone.
It is thrilling to see life roaring back here in NYC. We are grateful to have made it to the other side. We have gratitude for our friends, family, clients, NYC, and our amulets for being part of the celebration. Happy July 4th weekend!
Warm regards,
Howard Nowes & Dara Mayers
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Late Period, Circa 664-332 BC. A good size striding female goddess with sheer dress and well defined female form and wig. Upon her head, she wears the characteristic headdress of a house atop a basket. Nice strong form and glazed surfaces. Height 3 1/2 inches. + custom mount. Excellent original condition.
Provenance: Ex Private Midwest Private Collection; Parsons Collection, acquired in 1890. Thomaston Place Auctions, Maine, 8 November 2008, Lot 424.
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New Kingdom, Ca 1500 to 1070 BC
A realistically rendered gold beetle with notched striated wing case and pronounced clyepus. There is probably an actual ancient stone scarab inside which would appear to be in excellent condition. Some wear and deposits to the gold covering.
Size: 24mm x 18mm.The scarab beetle was revered by the ancient Egyptians for its seemingly regenerative powers in addition, the icon of Egyptian understanding of death and rebirth. Scarab amulets such as this were worn to ensure safe passage into the afterlife.
Ex Richard Fells Collection.
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Late Period, Ca 715 to 500 BC. Double sided pale green glaze dwarf god of childbirth depicted standing nude and with hands on hips. Condition: crown and loop hole gone. Nice details and expression. Size: 1-3/8 in H. 2-3/8 on custom mount.
Provenance: part of a lot from Cottone Auctions, 120 Court Street Geneseo, NY, sold from an estate.
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Western Asia, Circa 400 to 300 BC. Important, high karat hammered rendition of a multi horned stag. Fine early openwork design. Size: 3-1/4 inches (8.25cm) Length. Weight 54 grams. Compare a similar example in the Cleveland Museum of Art 1985.77.
Provenance: Ex Coll of Louis Beck, 5th Ave NYC, acquired from Jerome M. Eisenberg, Royal Athena Galleries NY 1960s and possibly illustrated on the cover of Art of the Ancient World 1966. Examined by Dr. Jack Ogden, Striptwist LTD, and reported to be authentic.
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For King Amenhotep II, Ca. New Kingdom, 1427 to 1401 BC. Carved steatite scarab depicting King Amenhotep II as a sphinx trampling an enemy; a cartouche showing the prenomen of the throne-name of Amenhotep II (Aakheperure: Great are the Manifestations of Re), behind the sphinx the Hq-Scepter for Ruler.
Could also be considered to say The good god, son of Re and at left The ruler of Thebes. Still retaining a heavy ancient gold ring and bezel. Compare a similar example in Petrie Museum, Accession Number UC12212 . Superb condition; fine example! Ring Size 8, Weight: 11.95 grams.
Provenance: Private East Coast Collector, acquired prior to 1979.
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2nd Int. Period, 1600 to 1500 BC. Naturalistic top; base inscribed with a symmetrical hieroglyphic magic formula which includes: falcons, fish, nefer, bati crown and udjat. Translates: The Ka of the Beautiful Lord The King is at peace. The inscription is surrounded by a single line; pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Size: 5/8 inches (1.6 cm) L. small chip else intact. Compare, Petries Historical Scarabs, 1889 and The Scarab; A Reflection of Ancient Egypt by Daphna Ben-Tor, The Israel Museum 1983, for the type.
Provenance: Ex Richard Fells Collection.
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Size: 1-1/4 inches. Height.
Provenance: Midwest Private Collection, Ex Private Collection, UK, prior to 2007 before that.
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Ptolemaic Period, Ca 332 to 30 BC. 22K gold curved rod ring attached to circular bezel. Into the bezel is chiseled a pyramid with a series of dots and dash border. Even in antiquity, thousands of years after they were built, the ancient peoples were obsessed with these structures so ancient to even them. Ring Size 5, Weight: 5.0 grams.
Provenance: Ex Private East Coast Collector, acquired prior to 1979. Rare.
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Late Period, Circa 664-323 B.C. Heart amulet with carved lines to indicate the anatomy of the organ or a hieroglyphic symbol. This amulet has magical talisman properties of power, protection and regenerative power; loop hole atop for suspension, lugs at sides. Intact.
Height 7/8 inches. Provenance: Ex Midwest Private Collection, acq Private Collection, UK, prior to 2007.
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Some Lovely Wearable Ancient Jewelry: |
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14561. Egyptian Green Glaze Faience Scarab Gold Ring
Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, Circa 664-30 B.C.
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14635. Near Eastern Smokey Chalcedony Seal Necklace
Circa 7th - 5th Century B.C.
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14559. Ancient Roman Red Jasper Intaglio Gold Ring
Circa 1st-2nd Century A.D.
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