Origin: Egypt
Circa: 1600 BC to 600 BC
Dimensions: 1.375" (3.5cm) high
Collection: Egyptian
Style: New Kingdom
Medium: Faience
This small, delicate faience amulet was found in a hyksos tomb in Israel and is demonstrative of the degree of influence the Egyptians had on their Asiatic invaders. Frequently, cultures, which came into contact with the ancient Egyptians, borrowed motifs from their artistic repertoire and religious iconography. The unmistakable figure of the god Bes stands at the far right corner of the amulet. Next to him is a figure, which exhibits either feline or canine features, and may be the god Anubis. The falcon headed deity in the center is perhaps the Heliopolitan sun god Ra, the god Horus, or Ra-horakhty. To the left of this central figure are two goddesses with feline features. The figure next to the center may be the goddess Sekhmet, and the deity on the far left is possibly the cat headed Bastet. One can easily imagine the amulet being worn or carried by the owner in order to invoke the protective power of these important and powerful deities to ward off maleficent forces and bring good luck. - (PF.2988)

Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian