Egyptian Blue Faience Ibis Amulet

A carved alabaster jar with slightly tapering sides and everted rim. 177 grams, 81 mm wide

Fine condition.

From an early 20th century collection. Accompanied by an old illustrated catalogue card.

A bronze statuette depicting the god Osiris, modelled standing on a sub-square base, wearing a tight-fitting mummiform garment and Atef crown, stylised facial detailing, false beard, hands positioned in front of chest holding the royal crook and flail; loop at base and to reverse. 36.5 grams, 76 mm high



From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.

A blue-glazed composition amulet in the form of an ibis (representing the god Thoth) seated on a wedge-shaped base, facing a figure of Maat appearing as a diminutive stooping female with an ostrich feather; some details to both figures rendered in a darker blue glaze; suspension loop to the rear of the bird's neck. 9.15 grams, 37 mm



Acquired from Dr Jan Beekmans, circa 1984. UK private collection.

Maat and the moon god Thoth, husband and wife, together embody wisdom and cosmic order. As a divine couple, they served the sun god, Re. Like Thoth, the ancient Egyptians connected the ibis with the moon, owing to its crescent moon-shaped beak. The ibis was well known in antiquity for its refusal to drink unhealthy and poisoned water, or to kill poisonous reptiles, and set mankind an example of cleanliness; thus, like the god Thoth, the ibis offered protection against dangerous forces and served as a model for purity and good sense. Maat embodies the order that Thoth protects. Her symbol, an ostrich feather, references a bird that inhabits desert and savannah habitats, although it must never wander too far away from rivers and lakes. The ostrich cannot fly, but it is a fast runner and a strong fighter.