Feature Object: Polished Oyster shell amulet - The Middle Kingdom
Shells were popular materials for jewellery since the earliest times. These particular shell amulets were popular in the Middle Kingdom, and gold versions are often found in the context of women's jewellery and probably used to promote health and wellbeing, but it is possible that others may have been given as awards for military service. This one from Dynasty 12 has two holes drilled at the top so it may be worn suspended and is inscribed with the name of King Senwosret (of whom there were 3 during this period).
See a gold example with the same inscription in the British Museum here: https://artsandculture.google.com/u/0/asset/gold-shell-amulet-in-with-the-name-of-senwosret-i/ugHRZ9uVvfqEMQ
The ancient Egyptian word for a sea shell is ı͗nr or literally ı͗nr-n-r-mw
https://artsandculture.google.com/u/0/asset/shell-naming-a-pharaoh-senwosret/DQE8ai6XuPg8HQ
Shells were popular materials for jewellery since the earliest times. These particular shell amulets were popular in the Middle Kingdom, and gold versions are often found in the context of women's jewellery and probably used to promote health and wellbeing, but it is possible that others may have been given as awards for military service. This one from Dynasty 12 has two holes drilled at the top so it may be worn suspended and is inscribed with the name of King Senwosret (of whom there were 3 during this period).
See a gold example with the same inscription in the British Museum here: https://artsandculture.google.com/u/0/asset/gold-shell-amulet-in-with-the-name-of-senwosret-i/ugHRZ9uVvfqEMQ
The ancient Egyptian word for a sea shell is ı͗nr or literally ı͗nr-n-r-mw
https://artsandculture.google.com/u/0/asset/shell-naming-a-pharaoh-senwosret/DQE8ai6XuPg8HQ
Amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the information, so this kind of amulet exist in gold version Wow! Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteJulie-Caroline Blanchet Yes, I've seen quite a few gold versions, which are examples of skeuomorphs, which are often found in ancient Egypt, so seeing the object in its 'original' material was what caught my eye about this piece.
ReplyDelete