Ring with Protective Inscription
ca. 664-342 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Late Period rings often bore texts invoking divine protection for their owners, both living and dead. This ring's inscription calls for "the goddess" of Heliopolis to protect Nakhthorheb, a priest of that city. Traces of sheet copper in the hieroglyphs reveal that they were overlaid with that reddish metal to enhance their visibility and appearance.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Jewelry
- Formatted Medium
- Gold with copper overlays
- Locations
- Possible place collected: Heliopolis, Egypt
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 26 to Dynasty 30
- Period
- Late Period
- Dimensions
- 13/16 in. (2.1 cm) Bezel: 3/8 x 5/8 in. (1 x 1.6 cm)
- Inscribed
- ”May the goddesses of Heliopolis protect the God’s Father of Heliopolis, Nakh-hor-he b,” [Letter of J. Yoyotte, 7 Oct. 1960].
- Accession Number
- 58.96
- Credit Line
- Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
- Exhibitions
- Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Egyptian Art
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
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