Gold pectoral. XII Dynasty. Said to come from Dahshur (acquired in Egypt in 1895). From the Myers Collection at Eton College, Windsor. Shown in this photo is the reverse of this wonderful jewel, with chased details. The central motif is the symbol of the goddess Bat, whose cult was centered in the Seventh nome of Upper Egypt (between Dendera and Abydos). The goddess appears with the face of a woman and the ears and horns of a cow. Below her chin is a stylised version of a broad collar, with five rows of cylinder beads and a row of drop-shaped pendants. On either side of the goddess are the heraldic animals of Upper and Lower Egypt. On the right is the animal of Seth, with his tail clearly shaped as an Arrow, representing Upper Egypt. On the left is the falcon-headed lion of Horus, representing Lower Egypt. Framing this central scene are two papyrus stalks, and two wedjat eyes on either side of a central sun disk with uraei (image of Horus of Behedet). Both quality and iconography suggest that it was a royal jewel, worn by a queen , a princess, or the king himself.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 08:48:47 +0000
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