Amulet of a goddess, perhaps Sakhmet

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 1
IIIF

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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    ca. 1075-656 BCE or later
  • Geography

    Egypt
  • Material

    Faience (glazed composition)
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 10.3 x 2 x 3.2 cm (4 1/16 x 13/16 x 1 1/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1907.30
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1907.30

Object Details

  • Label

    This is an amulet in the form of a striding female deity whose image combines the body of a woman with the head of a lioness. She wears an ankle-length sheath gown and tripartite wig; on her head is a sun disk with uraeus, the cobra-like serpent representing the radiance of the sun god.
    The amulet depicts either the goddess Sakhmet or the goddess Bastet. Sakmet, a lion-headed goddess, was a symbol of power and protection for the Egyptian king. Bastet was the feline-headed, benevolent counterpart of Sakhmet. If no accompanying inscription identifies the figure, as in the case of this amulet, it can be difficult to tell which goddess is represented.
  • Provenance

    To 1906-1907
    Unidentified owner, Egypt, to 1906-1907 [1]
    From 1906-1907 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased in Egypt in from an unidentified owner the winter of 1906-1907 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See Original Pottery List, L. 1850, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [2] See note 1.
    [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt (January 28, 2023 to 2025)
    Charles Lang Freer and Egypt (June 13, 1998 to October 2, 2011)
    Art of Dynastic Egypt (December 15, 1976 to September 22, 1977)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
  • Origin

    Egypt
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Jewelry and Ornament
  • On View

    Freer Gallery 20: A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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