Amuletic aegis of Bastet or Sakhmet

Unknown

ca. 1070–664 B.C. · Gold, Egyptian blue · Egyptian Art

This small piece represents a so called aegis, which is a protective element that combines a broad collar with the head of a deity. The broad collar was a common jewelry item that consisted of several rows of beads and was worn on the chest. Here the head of a feline goddess is featured; this is possibly Sakhmet. She wears a large sun disk and a uraeus cobra on her head. Underneath her lion ruff one can see part of a human tripartite wig, a common element for animal headed deities.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1070–664 B.C.

Medium

Gold, Egyptian blue

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Peter Gottesman, in honor of Mauricette E. Gottesman and George H. Gottesman, 2016