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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Antiquities| ▸ |Antiquities by Type| ▸ |Amulets||View Options:   | | | An amulet is a talisman or charm worn by an individual, and believed to have magical powers. Three of the four Egyptian words for amulet come from a word meaning "to guard and protect." Mesopotamian amulets were carved in stone in the forms of animals. Luristan and Amlash produced bronze amuletic animals in the 9th-7th century B.C. Egyptian amulets are the most collected and available of ancient amulets. They were produced from the Pre-Dynastic period through Roman times, a period of about 4500 years, intended to protect the individual both in this life and in the afterlife. Shell and ivory Pre-Dynastic amulets were made depicting hippopotami, antelope heads, lions, dogs, and bulls. By the end of this period, stone amulets were commonly adorned. From the Old Kingdom on, a vast array of amulets of gods, goddess, and sacred animals were produced in many media, including faience. Amulets of protection were inanimate forms such as Ujat, the eye of Horus. The Ujat was used to ward off evil, and for healing. Amulets of assimilation were produced to help the wearer take on qualities that the amulet represented. For example, a hare amulet would confer swiftness of movement and keenness of senses. Amulets of power were inanimate objects that conveyed royal and divine powers, and cosmic associations. A Crown of Lower Egypt amulet, for example, imbued authority and power. The amulets of offerings, possessions, and property acted as the substitutes for the wearer in the afterlife. Roman amulets are often bronze. They depict gods, goddesses, and the erotic phallus, a symbol of fertility worn by the military for good luck. Faience amulets were produced in Roman Egypt and Roman Syria as well. Parthian bronze gazelle amulets were found in the excavations at Dura Europus. |
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AM32371. Phoenician (Palestinian manufacture) glass head pendant, Choice, 1.9 cm (3/4"), white opaque glass face and black circular eyes white dot for chin, black hair top and loop for suspension, double headed with the same on the back side, complete and intact; very rare; SOLD
Egyptian, Beaded Horus Falcon Funerary Ornament, Ptolemaic Period, 304 - 30 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.
This beaded Horus Falcon funerary ornament was likely placed on the chest of a mummy sheathed in strands of blue faience beads.AZ33398. Colorful beaded funerary ornament; cf. Alex G. Malloy, Ancient Art and Antiquities, Summer 1977, 17, Superb, 6 1/2" Horus Falcon with crowned head and spread wings, brightly colored turquoise blue, maroon, white, yellow, and black beads faience beads; intact with original strings; SOLD
Punic (Carthage or Syria Palaestina Coast), Glass Caricature Head Pendant, Late 6th - 5th Century B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.
A recent European auction listed a similar but complete piece with an estimate of 18,000 Euros! SH32405. Head pendant; cf. Corning Pre-Roman 214, Choice, 1.6 cm (5/8"), core-formed, yellow face and ears, white eyes with blue centers, white blob center of forehead, blue beard, blue and white spiral striped hair band, lower beard, back and loop missing; rare; SOLD
Egyptian, XXII - XXVI Dynasty, Large Faience Amulet of Se Khmet, c. 945 - 525 B.C.
AS31155. Se Khmet amulet; cf. Lahun II, pl. 68, 1; Petrie Amulets -; 6.3 cm (2 1/2") high, fine aquamarine faience; crazing, Choice, SOLD
Mesopotamian, Ram Figurine Amulet, Late Uruk - Jemdet-Nasr Period, c. 3300 - 3000 B.C.
AS58662. Ram figurine amulet, 29 x 23 mm, Choice, cream calcite, circle-dot eyes and two circle-dots on body, legs curled up, pierced vertically for suspension, from an American private collection, from Alex G. Malloy (1/1/97); SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Cast Glass Bes Plaque Amulet, 1570 - 1070 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AA32468. Bes plaque; cf. Kofler-Truniger 271, line 1, left column (semi-opaque turquoise color, possibly made with the same mold); Petrie Amulets -, Superb!, 1570 - 1070 B.C.; 7/8" blue glass, Bes standing facing in relief; small chip at top but due to rarity still worthy of the finest collection; very rare; SOLD
Phoenician, 1/2" Glass Ram's Head Pendant, 5th Century B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AM32373. Phoenician, glass ram's head pendant, 5th Century B.C., Superb, complete and intact, sky blue face, white eyes with blue dots, tiny blue dot for mouth, black top and loop for suspension; very rare; SOLD
Egyptian, Cast Glass Lotus Bud, c. 10th Century B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AA32460. Glass lotus bud; none similar found in references or collections examined, Superb!, 1 1/8", sky blue lotus bud in relief, three holes at top for application, small chip at base; of greatest rarity; SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period, Carved Steatite Plaque Amulet, 664 - 332 B.C.
AS31141. Egyptian steatite plaque amulet; Petrie Amulets -, Choice, 664 - 332 B.C.; 2.2 cm (7/8") by 1.7 cm (5/8"), holed for suspension; SOLD
Egyptian, Hyksos Period, Carved Steatite Seal Amulet, 1786 - 1567 B.C.
An attractive piece in the archetypal style of the Hyksos period.
In Egypt, few seals were actually used to make impressions and seal documents. Although they are almost always holed for stringing, an absence of wear on them shows that they were not usually carried during life, but were engraved to place as amulets with the dead. AS31142. Hyksos amulet; Petrie Amulets -, Choice, 3 cm (1 1/8") by 2 cm (3/4"), holed for stringing; a few small edge chips; SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period, Red Jasper Cow Amulet, 664 - 332 B.C.
This amulet was intended to provide a cow for the afterlife.AES31301. Red Jasper Cow Amulet, cf. Petrie Amulets 63a (larger) and 63b (red steatite); 1.9 cm (3/4") length; legs tied for sacrifice, 664 - 332 B.C.; a few chips, the most significant to the top of the head on the left side; extremely rare; SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Steatite Plaque Amulet, 1567 - 1085 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AA35488. Buff carved steatite plaque amulet; design with lion hunting with gazelle to right, another animal above; holed for stringing; 15 mm long, Choice - Superb, SOLD
Egyptian, Ptolemaic - Roman Period, Gilded Beeswax Spinx, c. 100 B.C. - 100 A.D.
Many examples of this type of amulet were found in the now famous "Valley of the Golden Mummies," at the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt.AS31297. 3 cm (1 1/8") long, holed through the head for attachment to the bandages of the deceased along other amulets, Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, Third Intermediate to Late Period, Faience Amulet of Seated Se Khmet, 1085 - 332 B.C.
AS31150. Se Khmet amulet; cf. Lahun II, pl. 68, 6; Petrie Amulets -, Choice, 3.5 cm (1 3/8") high, pale aquamarine faience; SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Blue Faience Animal Leg Amulet, 1550 - 1050 B.C.
This is the leg of an antelope, oryx, gazelle, or ibex. It was probably intended to endow its wearer with the animals fleetness of foot or perhaps make him a great hunter of these desert creatures. These animals were also believed ot have regenerative powers: they lived successfully in the desert, overcoming a land of death.AA33298. Egyptian blue faience leg amulet; see Andrews Amulets p. 60; 34 mm long, fine color, Choice, from the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years; SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period, Black Hematite Uzat, 712 - 332 B.C.
The uzat was the all-seeing eye of Horus. It brought protection for the wearer.AA33375. Egyptian uzat amulet; cf. Petrie pl. XXV, 138p; 18 mm, carved black hematite, Superb, from the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years; SOLD
Egyptian, Hyksos Period, Steatite Cowroid, c. 1648 - 1534 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. AF33300. Egyptian grey carved cowroid; 15 mm long; rope design on the sides, geometric design on the base, holed for stringing, Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, Terracotta Uzat Mold, New Kingdom, 1567 - 1085 B.C.
Found in the spring of 1910 at Assuan, Egypt. Bought by Aik. Khayat in Cairo, Sept 1910. Comes with an old hand-written tag.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. AB33387. Uzat mold, 41 mm long, red-brown terracotta, mold with negative Uzat image, Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Paste Glass Uzat, 1567 - 1085 B.C.
The uzat was the all-seeing eye of Horus. It brought protection for the wearer.AM33374. Egyptian uzat amulet; cf. Malloy Egyptian 203 - 204; 17 mm, dark green glazed black paste glass, finely incised line design, Superb, fine quality, 1567 - 1085 B.C.; from the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years; SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Steatite Plaque Amulet, 1567 - 1085 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AM35489. Buff carved steatite plaque amulet; lion hunt design with human hunter to right and left, running gazelle above; holed for stringing; 23 mm long, Average condition, large chip, SOLD
Egyptian, 18th Dynasty, Blue Glazed Amen Ram Amulet, 1561 - 1320 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. AS33297. Egyptian, amulet of Amen as a couchant ram; cf. Petrie Amulets pl. XXXVIII, 211; 11 mm long, blue glaze steatite, Choice, fine color, hieroglyphics on the base read Amen-Men-Ra-MER; SOLD
Pre-Roman Italy, Italic-Umbrian, Bronze Warrior Amulet, 5th Century B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. AS36077. Italic-Umbrian warrior amulet; cf. Comstock & Vermeule 206, cf. Reine Margot 1990-9, 75; Malloy, Auction Sale XLV (19 Mar 1997), 1487; 29mm long, Choice, highly-stylized standing figure of Mars; complete, cracked; very rare; SOLD
Roman Syria Palaestina, Glass Miniature Juglet Amulet, c. 3rd Century A.D.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. Ex Robert Haas collection.
In the Ernesto Wolf Collection, Marianne Stern argues the distribution of this type of juglets, from the Holy Land to western Europe, indicates they were produced in Palestine as early Christian amulets and taken as relics or souvenirs from holy areas. AA32407. Holy Land glass juglet amulet; cf. Kofler-Truniger 204, 2.5 cm (1"), blue glass with a high open handle, magnificent silver and gold iridescence; SOLD
Egyptian, XXVI Dynasty, Faience Amulet of the Hippo-God Ta-weret, 664 - 525 B.C.
Ta-weret was the hippopotamus-god of pregnancy.AS31148. Egyptian,Ta-weret amulet; cf. Petrie Amulets pl. XL, 236s; Rowe Scarabs pl. XXXI, A29; Lahun II -; 3.8 cm (1 1/2") high, pale aquamarine faience, Choice, 664 - 525 B.C.; SOLD
Roman, Syria Palaestina, Glass Miniature Juglet Amulet, c. 4th Century A.D.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. Ex Robert Haas collection. This and a few other ex Haas miniature jug amulets offered here may be ex Kofler-Truniger lot 204. They appear to be some of the same pieces but it is difficult to be certain from the small black and white catalog photo.
"Freestanding zigzag" is a decorative techinque consisting of a freestanding coil, usually zigzagged between the rim of the vessel and the shoulder forming an open lattice free standing above the vessel's neck. On this example it is standing over the body, elevated by two coils.
In the Ernesto Wolf Collection, Marianne Stern argues the distribution of this type of juglets, from the Holy Land to western Europe, indicates they were produced in Palestine as early Christian amulets and taken as relics or souvenirs from holy areas. AG32442. Holyland glass juglet amulet; cf. Corning III 962 (a gift to the museum from Robert Haas), Kofler-Truniger lot 204, Superb, a true Gem!, 2.5 cm (1"), dark blue glass body with coil at shoulder and another low on the base; clear glass rim, open handle and freestanding zigzag ornamentation forming lattice cage above the body; SOLD
Roman, Syria Palaestina, Glass Miniature Juglet Amulet, c. 3rd Century A.D.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. Ex Robert Haas collection.
In the Ernesto Wolf Collection, Marianne Stern argues the distribution of this type of juglets, from the Holy Land to western Europe, indicates they were produced in Palestine as early Christian amulets and taken as relics or souvenirs from holy areas. AA32446. Holyland glass juglet amulet; cf. Kofler-Truniger 204; 2.5 cm (1"), blue glass with a high open handle, magnificent silvery iridescence, SOLD
Roman, Syria Palaestina, Glass Miniature Juglet Amulet, c. 3rd Century A.D.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. Ex Robert Haas collection. This and a few other ex Haas miniature jug amulets offered here may be ex Kofler-Truniger lot 204. They appear to be some of the same pieces but it is difficult to be certain from the small black and white catalog photo.
In the Ernesto Wolf Collection, Marianne Stern argues the distribution of this type of juglets, from the Holy Land to western Europe, indicates they were produced in Palestine as early Christian amulets and taken as relics or souvenirs from holy areas. AA32447. Holyland glass juglet amulet, cf. Kofler-Truniger 204 (lot of 15 amulets, one possibly this same piece); 2.8 cm (1 1/8"), Superb!, black, yellow rim and zigzag trail; SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Green Basalt Heart Amulet, c. 1570 - 1070 B.C.
The heart was the seat of the power of life. It was guarded after death with special care, mummified separately and with the lungs preserved in a jar placed under the protection of the god Tuamutef. A green stone scarab, was laid in the breast of the deceased where the heart would ordinarily be; this amulet would perform for him the "opening of the mouth," essential to the afterlife.
Although this stone does not appear green, it is a serpentine basalt, a copper ore. Under a microscope copper sulphates are visible in deep recesses. It had a greener tinge when first cut, but most of the green copper on the surface has been removed by removed by millennia in the soil.
The shape is that of the urn which contained the heart, and which is seen in representations of the Weighing of the Heart (against a feather).AS31289. Heart amulet, cf. Petrie Amulets 7h3; 2.4 mm (1") high; serpentine basalt, SOLD
Egyptian, Old Kingdom, Chalcedony Cowroid, 2613 - 2133 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. AA33369. Cowroid, 11 mm long, carved white chalcedony, Gazelle advancing right design on base, Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period - Ptolemaic Period, Bronze Figure of Osiris, 664 - 30 B.C.
Osiris is the god of fertility, agriculture, the afterlife, the dead, resurrection, life, and vegetation in ancient Egyptian religion. He was classically depicted as a green-skinned deity with a pharaoh's beard, partially mummy-wrapped at the legs, wearing a distinctive atef crown, and holding a symbolic crook and flail. He was one of the first to be associated with the mummy wrap. When his brother Set cut him up into pieces after killing him, Osiris' wife Isis found all the pieces and wrapped his body up, enabling him to return to life. Osiris was widely worshiped until the decline of ancient Egyptian religion during the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Through the hope of new life after death, Osiris began to be associated with the cycles in nature, in particular the sprouting of vegetation and the annual flooding of the Nile River, as well as the heliacal rising of Orion and Sirius at the start of the new year. He became the sovereign that granted all life, "He Who is Permanently Benign and Youthful." Some Egyptologists believe the Osiris mythos may have originated in a former living ruler – possibly a shepherd who lived in Predynastic times (5500–3100 BC) in the Nile Delta, whose beneficial rule led to him being revered as a god. The accoutrements of the shepherd, the crook and the flail, support this theory. AS30995. Egyptian, Osiris Amulet; cf. Malloy Amulets 157b, Malloy Egyptian 57; height 7 cm (2 3/4"), Collectible condition, original patina, 664 - 30 B.C.; bronze figure of the god Osiris in mummified form wearing Atef-crown with Uraeus, braided beard curved at the tip, holding the royal regalia crock and flail; one-sided (flat reverse); SOLD
South Arabian (Biblical Sheba?) Sabaean Steatite Amulet Seal, c. 1000 B.C.
Sheba is mentioned several times in the Bible. In the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:7), Sheba is listed as a descendant of Noah's son Ham (as sons of Raamah son of Cush). In Genesis 25:3, Sheba is listed as names of sons of Jokshan, son of Abraham. Another Sheba is listed in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:28) as a son of Joktan, another descendant of Noah's son Shem.AS31269. Sabaean steatite amulet seal, Choice, 1.7 cm (5/8") length, inscribed BR' in the Sabaean alphabet; SOLD
South Arabian (Biblical Sheba?) Sabaean Steatite Amulet Seal, c. 1000 - 900 B.C.
This seal and other Sabaean we have listed are from present-day Yemen. Sheba was a southern kingdom mentioned in the Jewish scriptures and in the Qur'an. The actual location of the historical kingdom is disputed between southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa; the kingdom may have been situated in either present-day Ethiopia or present-day Yemen, or both.AS31272. Sabaean steatite amulet seal, Choice, 1.3 cm (1/2") length, intaglio Nubian Ibex, Arabian Oryx, or Saudi Gazelle?; SOLD
Roman Syria Palaestina, Glass Stamped Medallion Pendant, c. Mid 4th - Mid 5th Century A.D.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.
The lion, star and crescent have been interpreted as either Gnostic or Mithraic.
Many of these small glass medallions with stamped motifs and suspension loops, mass produced c. mid 4th to mid 5th century A.D., have been found, from Asia Minor, through the Levante, and as far west as Tunisia. Motifs are based on mythology, magic, and the Old and New Testaments. Colors include amber, blue, green and purple. They were used as pendants and earrings. The same stamps were also used on glass bracelets and on bottles.AS31280. Glass pendant, cf. Corning III 894; 2.4 cm (7/8") length, clear blue glass, lion walking left, star and crescent above; irridescent patina, Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Open Work Uzat Amulet, 1567-1085 B.C.
The Uzat was the eye of Horus and warded off evil spirits.AS96342. Egyptian uzat amulet; see Petrie Amulets p. 33, 139A, pl. XVIII; carved steatite open work with serrated edge, light green glaze, pierced, Choice; 18.4 X 17.0 mm, from Alex G. Malloy with his certificate of authenticity; SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Uzat, Eye of Horus Amulet, 1567 - 1085 B.C.
The Uzat was the eye of Horus. It warded off evil spirits. In the Osiris myth, Horus offered the healed eye to his dead father; so powerful was the charm that he was restored to life.AS96368. Egyptian, uzat eye of Horus amulet; cf. Petrie Amulets 138ae.; light green glaze over steatite, black highlights, some relief, 15.3 x 11.4mm, Choice, 1567 - 1085 B.C.; from Alex G. Malloy with his certificate of authenticity; SOLD
Roman, Syria Palaestina, Glass Miniature Juglet Amulet, c. 4th Century A.D.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. Ex Robert Haas collection.
"Freestanding zigzag" is a decorative techinque consisting of a freestanding coil, zigzagged between the rim of the vessel and the shoulder forming an open lattice free standing above the vessel's neck. Freestanding zigzag was popular in the Eastern Mediterranean in the early fourth century. In Egypt it was commonly applied on jars and in Palestine it was commonly applied on both jars and kohl tubes.
In the Ernesto Wolf Collection, Marianne Stern argues the distribution of this type of juglets, from the Holy Land to western Europe, indicates they were produced in Palestine as early Christian amulets and taken as relics or souvenirs from holy areas. AA32443. Holyland glass juglet amulet; cf. Corning III 965; 1.9 cm (3/4"), Superb, blue glass, coil at shoulder and another above the base, open handle, freestanding zigzag forming lattice cage above the body; SOLD
Egyptian, New Kingdom, Three Amulets, 1567 - 1085 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years. AA33378. Three Egyptian Amulets, 1) bust of Isis, red-yellow-brown glass paste, 14 mm; 2) bust of Isis, bright blue faience, yellow-green accentuation marks, headdress missing, 14 mm; 3) Shu amulet, green faience, arms raised, below knees missing, 10 mm; SOLD
Egypt, Late Period, Faience Ptah Amulet, 525 - 332 B.C.
Ptah, in Egyptian religion, is the primal creator-god and maker of things. He is the patron of craftsmen, especially sculptors; his high priest was called "chief controller of craftsmen." In the triad of Memphis, he is the husband of Sekhmet and the father of Nefertem. He was also father of the sage Imhotep. Ptah is generally in the guise of a man with green skin, wearing the divine beard and a shroud sticking to the skin, and holding a scepter combining three powerful symbols: the Was scepter (power), the Ankh (life), and the Djed pillar (stability). Like many deities of ancient Egypt he takes many forms - he is also represented as a dwarf, naked and deformed; and frequently associated with the god Bes. His popularity would continue to grow during the Late Period and his worship then moved beyond the borders of Egypt throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greeks identified Ptah with Hephaestus (Vulcan), the divine blacksmith.AS34489. Egypt, Ptah amulet; see Petrie Amulets 176; 2.5 cm (1") tall, pale green faience, dwarf form, in the round, holed for suspension, Choice; complete and intact, 525 - 332 B.C.; SOLD
South Arabian (Biblical Sheba?) Sabaean Steatite Amulet Seal, c. 1000 - 900 B.C.
This seal and other Sabaean we have listed are from present-day Yemen. Sheba was a southern kingdom mentioned in the Jewish scriptures and in the Qur'an. The actual location of the historical kingdom is disputed between southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa; the kingdom may have been situated in either present-day Ethiopia or present-day Yemen, or both.AS31275. Sabaean amulet seal, near Choice, 1.3 cm (1/2") length, intaglio cat?, a few tiny chips; SOLD
Egypt, Late Period, Uzat Eye of Horus Amulet, 712 - 332 B.C.
AAA34496. Uzat eye of Horus amulet; cf. Petrie Amulets 138ae; 2 cm (3/4") long; green faience gone black, brown and white, details incised, two-sided; chipped, Near Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, Ptolemaic Period, Uzat, Eye of Horus Amulet, 332 - 30 B.C.
This type is in quadruple form which was believed to enable the deceased to see in the four houses of the other world.AS96343. Egyptian, Uzat, Eye of Horus Amulet; Blanchard p. 22, pl. XLVI fig. 261; light green glaze over brownish steatite, 27.7 X 238 mm, near Choice, chip, from Alex G. Malloy with his certificate of authenticity; SOLD
South Arabian (Biblical Sheba?), Sabaean Black Steatite Amulet, c. 1000 - 900 B.C.
Sheba is mentioned several times in the Bible. In the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:7), Sheba is listed as a descendant of Noah's son Ham (as sons of Raamah son of Cush). In Genesis 25:3, Sheba is listed as names of sons of Jokshan, son of Abraham. Another Sheba is listed in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:28) as a son of Joktan, another descendant of Noah's son Shem.AS31816. South Arabian steatite amulet, Choice, 0.9 cm (3/8") diameter, inscribed KSD in the Sabaean alphabet, cone shaped back; SOLD
Egyptian, 6th - 9th Dynasty, Faience Seal, c. 2345 - 2133 B.C.
Seals from Egypt with a loop behind belong to the 6th to 9th dynasties. In Egypt, few seals were actually used to make impressions and seal documents. Although they are almost always holed for stringing, an absence of wear on them shows that they were not usually carried during life, but were engraved to place as amulets with the dead.AS31303. Yellow composite faience seal, 2.2 cm (7/8") long, walking figure, loop behind suspension, SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period, Faience Bes Amulet, 664 - 332 B.C.
Bes, the god of children, dance and games, was popular from the New Kingdom onwards. Bes is always naked, dwarf-like, with bandy legs, and often rests his hands on his hips. He often wears tall plums on his head. He has a leonine face, and sometimes has a lion's main around his face, and sometimes a lion's tail. Amulets of Bes were worn in life, especially by woman and children, but they also provided protection in the tomb.AS96373. Egyptian, Bes Amulet; cf. Malloy Egyptian 128, Petrie Amulets 188; defined figure, bright turquoise blue faience, flat back, pierced, 16.2mm tall, Choice, nice color, cute, Bes is naked, squatting facing, with hands on hips, a leonine face with mane on sides of head, and plumes on top of his head; from Alex G. Malloy; SOLD
South Arabian (Biblical Sheba?), Sabaean Black Steatite Amulet Seal, c. 1000 - 900 B.C.
Sheba is mentioned several times in the Bible. In the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:7), Sheba is listed as a descendant of Noah's son Ham (as sons of Raamah son of Cush). In Genesis 25:3, Sheba is listed as names of sons of Jokshan, son of Abraham. Another Sheba is listed in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:28) as a son of Joktan, another descendant of Noah's son Shem.AS31271. Sabaean amulet seal, Choice, 1.4 cm (1/2") length, intaglio Nubian Ibex, Arabian Oryx or Saudi Gazelle with crescent above, a nice artifact!; SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period, Terracotta Plaque Amulet Mold, 1085 - 333 B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.AA35486. Red-brown terracotta plaque amulet mold, design with lion walking with other animals, 30 mm long, Choice, SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period - Ptolemaic Period, Bronze Figure of Osiris, 664 - 30 B.C.
Osiris is the god of fertility, agriculture, the afterlife, the dead, resurrection, life, and vegetation in ancient Egyptian religion. He was classically depicted as a green-skinned deity with a pharaoh's beard, partially mummy-wrapped at the legs, wearing a distinctive atef crown, and holding a symbolic crook and flail. He was one of the first to be associated with the mummy wrap. When his brother Set cut him up into pieces after killing him, Osiris' wife Isis found all the pieces and wrapped his body up, enabling him to return to life. Osiris was widely worshiped until the decline of ancient Egyptian religion during the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Through the hope of new life after death, Osiris began to be associated with the cycles in nature, in particular the sprouting of vegetation and the annual flooding of the Nile River, as well as the heliacal rising of Orion and Sirius at the start of the new year. He became the sovereign that granted all life, "He Who is Permanently Benign and Youthful." Some Egyptologists believe the Osiris mythos may have originated in a former living ruler – possibly a shepherd who lived in Predynastic times (5500–3100 BC) in the Nile Delta, whose beneficial rule led to him being revered as a god. The accoutrements of the shepherd, the crook and the flail, support this theory.AS30994. Egyptian, Osiris figure; cf. Malloy Amulets 157b, Malloy Egyptian 57; height 6.2 cm (2 3/8"), Collectible condition, original patina, 664 - 30 B.C.; bronze figure of the god Osiris in mummified form wearing Atef-crown with Uraeus, braided beard curved at the tip, holding the royal regalia crock and flail; one-sided (flat reverse), tang for mounting upright below feet; SOLD
Egyptian, Late Period - Ptolemaic Period, Paste Glass Bottle Amulet, 664 - 32 B.C.
AS31298. Bottle amulet, 1.5 cm (5/8") high; opaque black paste glass, Choice, 664 - 32 B.C.; rare; SOLD
Egypt, Late Period, Isis Holding Infant Horus Amulet, 712 - 332 B.C.
Modern worshipers of Isis (yes, they exist) will, as part of a larger ritual, wear the amulet of Isis and Horus within a pouch for the first nine days, then remove it, burn the pouch, and only then will they wear the amulet without the pouch.AS34491. Egyptian, Isis and Horus amulet; see Petrie Amulets 148; pale blue-green faience, wearing headdress, seated holding infant Horus, Choice, holed for suspension, 2.5 cm (1") tall; SOLD
Roman, Syria Palaestina, Miniature Jar Shaped Glass Pendant, c. Late 4th - 5th Century A.D.
A wide variety of ancient glass amulets and pendants were made to look like tiny glass juglets and bottles. They were manufactured by bead makers, not glass blowers, and many are common bead types with added handles and other small vessel features. This pendant imitates a glass vessel with decoration popular from the second half of the 4th century to the early 5th century. Raised blue dots were popular in both the East and West. Vessels with other colored dots appear to have been made only in Cologne and Gaul, but pendant beads imitating them, such as this one, were all made in the East.AS34621. cf. Kofler-Truniger 204, Bomford 171, Corning III 961 (similar ornamentation on a juglet amulet/pendant), Choice, complete and intact, weathering, pitting, crazing, glass pendant made to look like a glass jar, opaque black glass with raised yellow, green, and white opaque glass dots, 27mm; SOLD
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