Large Bronze Amulet of Nefertem

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 13 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1387

Provenance: French private collection Emile Amélineau (1878-1915). Thence in a French private collection. Accompanied by a French antiquities passport.

Condition: Eyelet broken out, otherweise intact.

Description: Large and very finely worked out bronze amulet of Nefertem. The youthful god of the lotus flower in human form wears a short, striped apron. He is in striding position, depicted with his left leg forward and still stands on the original plinth with rounded corners. His arms hanging down along the body, the hands formed to a fist. Nefertem wears a tripartite wig with uraeus on the forehead and a false beard. His headdress is the spectacular crown in form of a lotus flower with two supporting plumes on the sides. On the back of the crown an eyelet for suspension. Due to its size and weight this statuette was probably less worn as an amulet but rather placed on the temple wall. Nefertem was considered as the "donor of delightful smell" and the tutelary god of scents, anointing oils and oinments.