A PAIR OF EGYPTIAN LAPIS LAZULI AMULETS OF HORUS AND THOTH, NEW KINGDOM

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A PAIR OF EGYPTIAN LAPIS LAZULI AMULETS OF HORUS AND THOTH, NEW KINGDOM This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve The Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger, entry from 2012: “No. 602, Plaques Falcon and Toth Egypt, Lapis lazuli H. 1.9 cm. PS 2009” Gallery price: EUR 820 or approx. EUR 1,200 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. Egypt, 1550-1295 BC. Finely carved, the raptor- and baboon-headed deities each shown in profile, seated upon abstracted thrones. (2) Important Note: For essential information on the Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger and provenance documentation please visit here: www.zacke.at/rubencollection_ledger Dimensions: Height 1.9 cm (each) Lapis lazuli was among the most highly valued stones in ancient Egypt. This opaque material is rich in the blue mineral lazurite and commonly contains veins and inclusions of calcite and iron pyrites. To this day, the finest quality lapis lazuli is sourced from the Badakhshan region of northeastern Afghanistan, which also served as the principal source for ancient Egypt from at least the fourth millennium BCE. The stone was transported over distances of more than 4,500 kilometers to reach Egypt. Lapis lazuli was employed in a variety of contexts, including beads, jewelry inlays, and amulets. Despite its distant origin, it remained in consistent use throughout Egyptian history. Its deep, glittering blue made it highly desirable, as it was closely associated with the night sky and the divine realm. According to ancient Egyptian belief, the hair and eyebrows of the gods were made of lapis lazuli. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related lapis lazuli amulet, dated New Kingdom, 2 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 15.43.320. Compare a related lapis lazuli female sphinx amulet dated Middle Kingdom to Second Intermediate Period, 1.9 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 10.130.2181.

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