Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A lovely faience serpent amulet with a high-arching body slithering across an integral rectangular plinth. The snake raises its head to present a petite column of hieroglyphs inscribed on the front of its flared hood. Snakes held symbolic significance in ancient Egypt, often representing both danger and protection. They were associated with deities like Nehebkau and Wadjet - protectors of the pharaoh - as well as Apep (also Apophis) - the serpent demon of chaos and darkness. Size: 1.08" L x 0.28" W x 0.77" H (2.7 cm x 0.7 cm x 2 cm)
Exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023, reference number EL01.227.1996.
Published in Dr. Gerry D. Scott III. "Temple, Tomb and Dwelling: Egyptian Antiquities from the Harer Family Trust Collection." University of California Press, 1992, pp. 157, 159, fig. 109a.
Cf. Petrie (1914/1972), no. 58, pp. 18-19, pl. IV.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA; Exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023, reference number EL01.227.1996; Published in "Temple, Tomb, and Dwelling", fig. 109a
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#182059
Condition
Minor abrasions and fading to glaze pigment in scattered areas, with light earthen deposits, otherwise intact and excellent. Great preservation to finer details.