Ancient Egyptian Faience スタンプ ボタン 印鑑 お守り - 23 mm (No reserve price)

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 varied depictions and amulets from Cairo dealer 03-02-1969. - with copy of original invoice available.

International Signed and Tracked.

Stamp Button Seal Amulet.

​Object Identification & Typology

​Based on the provided images, this object is an Ancient Egyptian or Canaanite/Levantine Stamp Seal (often referred to as a button seal or hedgsh-type seal).

​Chronology & Dating
​Period: Likely dating to the Second Intermediate Period (Hyksos / Middle Bronze Age II, c. 1650–1550 BCE) or the early New Kingdom (c. 1550–1300 BCE).
​Cultural Context: This era was marked by intense trade, migration, and cultural blending between the Nile Delta and the Canaanite Levant, which explains why these specific geometric, glazed faience/steatite seals are frequently found across both regions.

​Material & Physical Characteristics
​Material: Egyptian Faience showing a beautifully preserved, characteristic weathered turquoise-green glaze.

​The Back (Reverse): Features a distinct domed/conoidal shape with radiating vertical grooves, giving it a ribbed or melon-like appearance.

​The Suspension Mechanism: It is equipped with a raised, square/rectangular pierced loop shank (ridge) at the apex, allowing it to be threaded onto a cord or mounted on a ring to be worn as an amulet.
​Decipherment of the Base Design
​The circular base is deeply incised with a symmetrical, multi-register design arranged horizontally:

​Central Register: A horizontal panel or stylized cartouche enclosing an animal figure—most likely a Tilapia fish (bulti) or a crocodile. In both Egyptian and Canaanite iconography of the Middle/Late Bronze Age, the Tilapia fish was a potent symbol of fertility, protection, and self-regeneration.

​Upper & Lower Registers: The central panel is framed symmetrically by stylized motifs. These represent either stylized lotus blossoms (symbols of rebirth and creation) or variations of the hieroglyphic sign nb (the basket), a common amuletic formula signifying "lordship" or "all good things."

​Functional Significance
​While technically a "stamp seal," an item of this material, period, and design functioned primarily as a talismanic protective amulet. It was designed to bring the owner good fortune, vitality, and spiritual protection, heavily reflecting the shared religious and material culture of the ancient Levant and Egypt.

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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