Ancient Egypt, Late Period Faience Sekhmet Amulet






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Ancient Egyptian faience amulet depicting the lion‑headed goddess Sekhmet from the Late Period (circa 664–332 BC), measuring 3.5 cm by 1 cm, with a back suspension loop and minor glaze cracking.
Description from the seller
An ancient Egyptian amulet, made from dark blue glazed faience, depicting the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet. She is portrayed standing, with one leg striding forward, positioned on a small integrated rectangular plinth. Her arms hang by her sides. On her head she wears the tripartite wig, its front locks falling over each shoulder. Her facial features are typically feline, with a broad forehead, flat, elongated snout and small ears. There is a perforated loop at the back of the head for suspension. There are typical signs of ageing such as minor white hairline cracks to the glaze and earthly encrustations.
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.
Measurements: L 3.5cm x W 1cm
Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection
Seller's Story
An ancient Egyptian amulet, made from dark blue glazed faience, depicting the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet. She is portrayed standing, with one leg striding forward, positioned on a small integrated rectangular plinth. Her arms hang by her sides. On her head she wears the tripartite wig, its front locks falling over each shoulder. Her facial features are typically feline, with a broad forehead, flat, elongated snout and small ears. There is a perforated loop at the back of the head for suspension. There are typical signs of ageing such as minor white hairline cracks to the glaze and earthly encrustations.
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.
Measurements: L 3.5cm x W 1cm
Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection
Seller's Story
Details
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
