A finely modelled carnelian djed pillar amulet, with four incised bands topped by four parallel crossbars and a small, pierced top suspension loop. Flat, unmolled reverse.
Egyptian Late New Kingdom-Third Intermediate period: Circa 1250-700 BC.
Very fine condition; small amount of bitumen from the embalming process remaining around the centre.
Height 3 cms (1.2 ins).
Provenance: From a private collection, North Wales, collected by the previous owner's father from 1950's.
Literature: See pages 82-83; Amulets of Ancient Egypt; Carol Andrews.
The djed pillar is an amulet in the form of the hieroglyphic sign which means 'enduring, stable' and similar. It came to represent the backbone of the Lord god Osiris, and the Djed amulet was placed with the deceased to help ensure rebirth. A number of them could be strung around the lower torso or placed singly on the upper chest or around the neck.
Djed pillar amulets were often made in green composition, because of the colour, but many were also made of cornelian, also a material with connotations of new life.