Quartzite painted white core and glazed in light green
Egypt, Late Period, 26th to 30th Dynasty
Two amulets in the form of striding stand statuettes of the goddesses Thoeris and Nebethetepet
Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 1.3 cm; 2.7 x 1.3 x 1 cm (width x height x depth)
Provenance: Private Collection Bruno Wertz
Scientific research: Dr. Jan Moje, Free University of Berlin (see references below)
A similar amulet of Thoeris is located at the Liebieghaus in Frankfurt (2205, 2207)
A similar amulet of Nebethetepet is located at the Gustav-Lübke-Museum in Hamm (1965)

The two amulets in form of Egyptian goddesses are of quartzite glazed in light green with white core. Both pieces originate from the Late Period of ancient Egypt, the 26th to the 30th Dynasty (664–342 BCE). One is the striding stand figure of the hippopotamus shaped goddess Thoeris (also known as Taweret), protection goddess of the pregnant and of fertility, with dimly implied breasts. Both arms are hanging down on the sides. The reverse is engraved with a pattern of arrows, implying a crocodile’s tail, a common feature of the goddess, who appears in different forms. An eyelet is built in in the area of the breast, so the piece could be worn on a chain. To use such pieces as insertions into mummies has not been proven.

The second statuette depicts the goddess Nebethetepet and it is missing below the knees. The goddess wears a long wig, leaving the ears free. Her curved rags reach down to the breasts. Eyes, eyelids, mouth and nose are especially finely engraved. There is a little elevation at the forehead, which can be interpreted as the Uraeus. On the head, the statuette is wearing the upper part of a Naos-Sistrum, which had to be either onglazed or separately pasted on and is missing today. Such pieces belonged to the features of a mummy or could have found use as private talisman. Nebethetepet means translated ‘mistress of satisfaction’, or ‘Mistress of sacrifice’. Additionally, she constitutes the embodiment of the female principle.



The two quartzite amulets are in very well and complete preserved condition, with usual age-related traces like abrasion of the material. The amulet of Nebethetepet is missing below the breast. The light green glazing is partially abraded. The ceramic of Nebethetepet depicts one break at the left shoulder, and one on the left behind the head. The left half of the base of Nebethetepet is broken. Both figures are mounted on modern perspex plinths. The Thoeris amulet was broken in half in the feet section, and has been professionally restored. The dimensions of the amulet of Thoeris are 5.2 x 1.1 x 1.3 cm, and the dimensions of Nebethetepet are 2.7 x 1.3 x 1 cm (width x height x depth).



Auctionata would like to express its deep gratitude to Dr. Jan Moje for the scientific preparation of the collection and the research for the text. We do declare explicitly that the pricing of the objects of this auction does not derive from Dr. Jan Moje. Please do not hesitate to contact Auctionata for further background research information about the objects, especially the decipherment of hieroglyphics.

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