Rare Egyptian Lapis Lazuli Amulet, Taweret

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Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 24, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-03-24 10:00:00 2022-03-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-9057
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• Lot Description
  Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A pulchritudinous figural sculpture, hand-carved from azure-hued lapis lazuli, depicting Taweret (also Tawaret, Tauret, Thoueris, Apet, Opet), the goddess of child birthing and suckling as well as a protector of women, children, and the infirm. The deity's composite physical structure is composed of leonine legs and paws standing atop an integral plinth, slender arms flanking pendulant breasts and a portly abdomen, and a crocodilian back and tail; an integral suspension loop protrudes from the verso. Her hippopotamus-form head bears a pair of backswept ears, beady eyes peering forward behind a thick snout with delineated nostrils, and slightly parted lips, all framed within striated wig lappets. Size: 1" L x 0.63" W x 2.33" H (2.5 cm x 1.6 cm x 5.9 cm)
  
  According to Egyptologist Garry J. Shaw, "Taweret, often called Ipet until the end of the Middle Kingdom, was another important household deity. She is a fearsome hippopotamus with pendulous breasts, a round belly and the arms and (rather stumpy) legs of a lion. Her tail and back, however, take the form of a crocodile. Upon her head, she wears two plumes on a modius (a flat-topped and cylindrical crown) and a sun disc. She often holds a sa-symbol of protection and an ankh-sign of life, and sometimes even a knife. In their daily lives, the Egyptians wore amulets of Taweret to ward off evil powers, and she was frequently depicted in the home during childbirth. She was also illustrated on beds and carved onto headrests to protect sleepers." (Shaw, Garry J. "The Egyptian Myths: A Guide to The Ancient Gods and Legends." Thames & Hudson, London, 2014, p. 155)
  
  Similarly, according to author Manfred Lurker, "Since the Archaic Period this hippopotamus goddess was represented standing upright with human arms and legs. She held the attribute of the sa in her hands and sometimes also the ankh or a torch, the flame of which was supposed to expel typhonic forces. Taweret was especially helpful to women during childbirth. The image of this protective goddess was attached to beds, head-rests and cosmetic articles but she is also found in the vignettes of the 'Book of the Dead' and even in temple reliefs." (Lurker, Manfred. "The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Dictionary." Thames & Hudson, London, 1986, p. 119)
  
  Cf. a faience example at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number 45.23.51 as well as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 04.2.365 and 26.7.888.
  
  Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, bestowed 2006; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired before 2006; ex-Hesperia Auction, New York, USA, Tuesday, November 27, 1990 Lot #63
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #170609

  Condition

  Professionally repaired from 3 large pieces - middle of snout backwards to bottom of suspension loop, remainder of body, and back right corner of integral plinth - with resurfacing and nearly invisible adhesive residue along break lines that do not detract from the overall presentation. Minor abrasions, softening to some finer details, slight wear to hands and wrists, and light encrustations all commensurate with age. Wonderful preservation to overall form, smooth surface texture, and beautiful stone coloration. Old inventory label beneath plinth.
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