LOT 0039

Egyptian Green Glazed Steatite Syncretic Amulet of Mut

THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, CIRCA 1069-735 B.C.

2 3/8 in. (22.6 grams, 61 mm).

Modelled in the round, formed as the goddess standing before a high-backed throne cradling the head of a standing child to her chest; the goddess with tiered double-crown and tripartite wig; throne with low-relief figure of the lioness-headed goddess Sekhmet to the rear with spread wings forming the arms of the chair.

with Jean-Phillipe Mariaud de Serres, Paris, France.
Private collection, London, UK, acquired from the above in 1992.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12633-235083.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Cf. Daressy, G., Catalogue général des antiquités égyptiennes du Musée du Caire N° 38001-39384 Statues de divinités, Cairo, 1906, pl. LXIII (39.374), for a similar example in the Cairo Museum.

Mut was a prominent mother goddess in ancient Egyptian religion, associated with creation, motherhood, and the sky. She was the consort of the god Amun and the mother of Khonsu, forming the Theban triad with them in Thebes. Mut's name ("mother" in ancient Egyptian), reflects her role as a divine mother and patroness of motherhood. Sekhmet was revered as a powerful and fierce protector. Her presence was believed to ward off evil and safeguard the people from harm. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Sekhmet was also a manifestation of Hathor, another powerful birth goddess.