Lot 166
Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A leaded bronze aegis amulet depicting the leonine-headed goddess Bastet, crowned with the uraeus and sun disk. The goddess's visage projects forward in bold relief, her almond-shaped eyes and rounded snout softened by the flowing mane that frames her face. Below, the aegis takes the form of a broad collar incised with nested semicircles and triangular motifs, recalling the protective pectoral ornaments associated with divine authority. A suspension loop rises from the crown, allowing the piece to have once been worn as a pendant for personal protection. Amulets of this type were believed to embody the protective and maternal qualities of Bastet, a goddess revered both as a fierce lioness and as a nurturing deity linked to fertility, music, and the home. Size: 2.3" W x 2.8" H (5.8 cm x 7.1 cm); 5.3" H (13.5 cm) on included custom stand.
By the Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic periods, Bastet's cult flourished at her principal sanctuary in Bubastis, where votive bronzes and amulets were dedicated in staggering numbers. This example, with its diminutive yet powerful form, reflects the widespread devotion to her as both guardian and benefactor. The amulet retains areas of green and brown patination, testifying to its ancient burial and centuries of reverence before entering the modern era.
Provenance: private Keokuk, Iowa, USA collection, acquired in Orlando, Florida, USA in the late 1980s
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Item #
197611
- Condition: Small loss to sun disc and weathering to surface. Liberal remaining detail and rich patina. Wearable as a pendant.
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