Loading, please wait...

Egyptian Hardstone Menat Amulet Group Egyptian Hardstone Menat Amulet Group Egyptian Hardstone Menat Amulet Group
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0442

Egyptian Hardstone Menat Amulet Group

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.

3/4 - 7/8 in. (5.38 grams total, 20-22 mm).

Lapis lazuli, carnelian, and schist (?) menat amulets, each with a distinctive keyhole shape and broad ribbed bale. [3, No Reserve]

Provenance

From a private collection acquired by the previous owner's father in the 1950s.
Ex TimesAncient, Bristol, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue entry.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Literature

Cf. Reisner, G.A., Catalogue général des antiquités égyptiennes du Musée du Caire, Nos.12528-13595, Vol. II, Amulets, Cairo, 1958, pls. V and XXIV, nos. 12701 and 12694, for type.

Footnotes

The menat was a counterpoise that hung at the back of a heavy ornamental collar and was closely associated with the goddess Hathor. Amulets representing the counterpoise were thought to bring good luck, protect against evil spirits, and safeguard the wearer in the afterlife. Their Hathoric connection symbolised fertility and good health for women while representing virility for men.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0442

Egyptian Hardstone Menat Amulet Group

Sold for (Inc. bp): £364

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Egyptian Silver Goddess Bastet Cat Amulet
    Egyptian Silver Goddess Bastet Cat Amulet
    Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £234

    Seated figure of a cat with pointed ears mounted on a rectangular base with a rounded end; suspension loop on the back. 1.58 grams, 12 mm



    From an early 20th century collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Gold Mounted Scarab Bead
    Egyptian Gold Mounted Scarab Bead
    Middle Kingdom-Second Intermediate Period, circa 1900-1560 B.C.

    Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £200

    Comprising a faience scarab with a scroll-work border framing the vertically arranged hieroglyphs: kheper beetle, nwb sign for gold, and two nfr signs flanking an ankh sign, set in a gold funda with tubular collars. 3.36 grams, 20 mm



    From an early 20th century Home Counties, UK, collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Bes
    Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Bes
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £67

    Plano-convex in section with detailed obverse, the underside with the figure of Bes flanked by adoring baboons and sun discs. 10.7 grams, 31 mm



    Ex London, UK collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

    Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities from the New Kingdom onwards. Despite his somewhat fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children and believed to protect the wearer from snakes. The depiction of baboons flanking Bes with their arms raised before the sun disk was a common feature on temple wall reliefs. In ancient Egyptian religious literature, baboons heralded the dawn and, thus, the rebirth of the sun.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list