Ring with the cartouche of Queen Nefertiti. - unique piece - Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, Reign of Akhenaten, c. 1352-1336 BC. Lapis Lazuli. 2.7 cm height and 2.7 cm diameter. CONDITION: Good condition, see photos. PROVENANCE: - Romy Rey private collection, London, United Kingdom. Acquired before 1970. DESCRIPTION: Nefertiti was one of the most famous queens of Ancient Egypt and lived during the 14th century BCE. She was the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten and played an important role in a period of major religious change. Together, they promoted the worship of a single god, Aten, the sun disk, which was a radical shift from Egypt’s traditional polytheistic beliefs. Nefertiti was known not only for her political influence but also for her beauty, which is immortalized in the famous painted bust discovered in 1912. Some historians believe she may have ruled as pharaoh after Akhenaten’s death, although this remains debated. Today, Nefertiti is remembered as a powerful and iconic figure in ancient history. Egypt, 18th Dynasty, Amarna Period, ca. 1353–1336 BCE Rings from the Amarna Period were not merely personal ornaments but potent symbols of status, authority, and religious affiliation. Crafted in faience, electrum, gold, and lapis lazuli, such rings frequently bear the names of Queen Nefertiti, members of the royal family, and high-ranking court officials, reflecting the close relationship between power and material culture during the reign of Akhenaten. Faience examples, distinguished by their luminous blue or green glaze, were associated with regeneration and divine protection and were widely worn by court officials as expressions of loyalty to the Atenist cult. Rings executed in gold and electrum—materials linked to eternity and solar radiance—served as clear indicators of royal favor. The use of electrum, in particular, echoed the brilliance of the sun god Aten, central to Amarna religious ideology. The inclusion of lapis lazuli, a rare imported stone, further elevated these objects. Its deep blue color symbolized the celestial realm and royal authority, reinforcing the sacred nature of the inscriptions they bear. Rings engraved with royal names functioned as seal rings, marks of ownership, and official insignia, while also disseminating the religious and political ideals of the period. Together, these rings exemplify the refined craftsmanship, symbolic richness, and ideological focus that characterize the distinctive artistic output of the Amarna court. (last photo it's a museum parallel) PARALLELS: https://egypt-museum.egypt-museum.com/post/802560031164874752/gold-finger-ring-incised-with-the-name-of-queen Notes: - The piece includes authenticity certificate. - The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested, can take between 1-2 weeks maximum. - The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.