Cowroid Seal Amulet Inscribed for the God's Wife Hatshepsut

Unknown

ca. 1479–1458 B.C. · Steatite (glazed) · Egyptian Art

This cowroid seal amulet (shaped like a cowrie shell) was found in a foundation deposit associated with Hatshepsut's funerary temple at Deir el-Bahri. The base is inscribed with her personal name, Hatshepsut ("foremost of noblewomen") linked with the title God's Wife. Hatshepsut inherited the title while she served as principal queen of her half-brother, Thutmose II. Later in her life, after taking on the titles of King, Hatshepsut passed the title to her daughter, Neferure (see scarab 27.3.326). The back of the seal amulet has been inscribed with the image of a tilapia fish eating water plants. Around the edge is a decorative pattern that suggests the setting of a swivel ring bezel (see 36.3.46).

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Medium

Steatite (glazed)

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1927