Αρχαία Αιγυπτιακή Faience Φυλαχτό Νέου Βασιλείου — Ξαπλωμένη Νεαρή Αγελάδα - 33 mm (χωρίς τιμή ασφαλείας)

Ancient Egyptian

Provenance:

Collection passed on to me by mother (P.M.Shaw) in 2009
Given to her by
J.G.Judd who acquired the piece part of a strand of many depictions and amulets from Cairo dealer 22-07-1978. - with copy of original invoice available.

International Signed and Tracked.

Amulet of Hathor in a recumbent Cow form in a blue glazed composition.

Visual Description and Craftsmanship

This artifact is a finely modeled ancient Egyptian amulet depicting the goddess Hathor as a recumbent cow. The piece is sculpted from a vibrant, turquoise-blue Egyptian faience—a glazed ceramic material made from silica, lime, and soda that the Egyptians associated with rebirth, fertility, and the gleaming light of the sun and stars.

The cow is captured in a resting position, with her front legs extended forward and her hindquarters neatly tucked against her lower torso. The artisan skillfully rendered the anatomical features of the bovine head, including a slightly tapered snout, pronounced orbital ridges for the eyes, and small, alert ears. Emerging from the center of the cow’s back is a distinct, raised suspension loop. This functional element allowed the owner to thread a line or cord through the charm, enabling it to be integrated into a larger pectoral necklace or tied securely within protective linen wrappings.
Typology and Dating to the New Kingdom

Amulets shaped as reclining cows reached a peak in popularity and aesthetic refinement during the New Kingdom (circa 1550–1070 BCE). During this golden era of Egyptian art, faience workshops perfected the rich, deep-turquoise glaze seen on this artifact. The composition leans away from the rigid geometric bases of earlier periods, opting instead for a self-contained, fluidly carved zoomorphic silhouette. The highly specific shape of the suspension loop blended smoothly into the dorsal ridge of the animal, which is characteristic of personal talismans and foundation deposits manufactured during the 18th and 19th Dynasties.

Cultural and Religious Context

In the ancient Egyptian pantheon, the cow was the supreme zoomorphic manifestation of Hathor, the universal mother goddess. Hathor presided over love, joy, music, and divine nourishment. As a celestial cow, she was believed to swallow the sun each evening and give birth to it anew each morning.
Wearing an amulet of a resting cow allowed an individual to invoke Hathor’s maternal protection.

Microscopic images have been added to display pigmentation and integrity of the core faience.

"Compliance with European Legislation
I, the seller, declare that I am familiar with Regulation (EU) 2019/880 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1070 (in force as of June 2025), and confirm that:
• This object was not illegally exported from its country of origin after the date on which the 1970 UNESCO Convention entered into force for that specific country.
• The object is accompanied by the documentation required by EU law for its legal import.
• I undertake to provide any required export licenses or certificates of origin to European customs authorities.

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