Description:

Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. This mold-formed faience pendant charm depicts Shu, the primordial personification of air, wearing a tripartite wig and false beard while kneeling on one leg and holding up the solar disc. The Egyptians believed Shu emerged from Atum, the creator god, as the first step in the universe's creation, symbolizing the air that separates sky and earth. Shu not only supports the sky goddess Nut but also initiates and protects the creation process, playing a crucial role in the mortuary sphere by facilitating the deceased's journey toward rebirth. For this reason, amulets like this were placed in the lower torso of mummies and served as protective symbols at birth. Shu also created eight supporters known as Heh, promoting the universe's creation and the eternal renewal of the sun god. This amulet features a back pillar with a suspension hole, and its brilliant blue glaze symbolizes the life-giving Nile River and rebirth. Size: 0.66" L x 0.72" W x 1" H (1.7 cm x 1.8 cm x 2.5 cm).

Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-F. Becker collection, Munich, Germany, 1980s

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#189709

  • Condition: Softening to finer details and light pitting, otherwise intact.

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October 25, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000