Ib Amulet. Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 664 - 323 BC. Faience. 3 cm height. Condition: Intact. Provenance: Private collection Donald Wonder (1938 - 2023), California, United States of America. Acquired at various auction houses and gallery owners between 1979 - 2009 between: - George M. Juergens (1897 - 1986), New York, April 11, 1979. - Superior Stamps and Coind Co. Beverly Hills, California, July 3, 1984. - Laurent Bermundez Primitive Arts, California, June 1996. - Amphora, New York, September 17, 2003. Lot 358. - Amphora, New York, October 13, 2009. Description: Carved ‘ib’ heart amulet in the shape of an egg-shaped vessel with delicate lug handles. The heart encompassed the very essence of the deceased, his wisdom, emotions, and the memory of his deeds on earth. Amulets in Ancient Egypt were both decorative and practical, as they were considered as having apotropaic powers to protect or bestow power upon the wearer. Not only worn by the living, 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. 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.