Egyptian Amulet of Sekhmet

$1,074.15

A bright blue glazed faience amulet of Sekhmet. The lion-headed goddess is seated on a throne with her left arm in her lap, while her right arm reaches down towards her knee. She wears the royal wig, which has a plume between her feline ears. The facial features are typically feline, with a broad forehead and a flat, elongated snout. The amulet has been delicately crafted, with spaces between the throne and legs, and between the arms and body: this would have required considerable skill.

Date: Circa 664 - 332 BC
Period: Late Period
Condition: Excellent condition.

SOLD

SKU: AS-1171 Category: Tags: , ,

The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the 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.

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.

Weight 7.88 g
Dimensions H 4.3 cm
Culture

Faience

Egyptian Mythology

Region

Country

Reference: Reference : R.H. Blanchard; Handbook of Egyptian Gods and Mummy amulets, 1909, Pl. 13, Fig. 63 and Andrews; Amulets of Ancient Egypt fig 8b page 14.