A LOT OF 2 EGYPTIAN FAIENCE TURTLES AMULETS.
Early New-Kingdom, Dynasty 18, ca. 1550 BCE
L. 15 mm

Provenance
Formerly with, Saskia Wessel 29.6.1982

Of stylized shape of blue and yellow faience and pierced lenghtwise to be worn as pendants.
In Ancient Egypt, the turtle "Trionyx" belongs among the first animals representations on small objects (palettes, vessels, amulets and various magical devices)— "for one of the earliest reference to the animal in Egyptian literature, a funerary spell of the Middle Kingdom, clearly intimates that its flesh is an abomination to the god Re." cit.H.G. Fisher. Designed to protect the deceased from having to eat excrement in the next world. The shadowy and secretive aspect of the turtle put it most directly into opposition with the sun god, yet very benefic to fight against even more dangerous creatures, such as the hippopotamus. In these circumstances, the most probable reason of the relatively frequent representation of the Trionyx was intended to be apotropaic.
For a similar typology see a carnelian turtle amulet Brooklyn Museum 14.644.

Estimate: 800 - 1200 CHF