NEW KINGDOM - 3RD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, CIRCA 1550-656 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN RED JASPER FRAGMENTARY TAWERET
NEW KINGDOM - 3RD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, CIRCA 1550-656 B.C.
The hippopotamus-headed goddess with pendulous breasts, depicted standing with her paws resting in front of her swollen abdomen, on a stylized sa-sign, symbolizing protection, her crocodile tail visible behind
2 7⁄8 in. (7.2 cm.) high

Provenance

Gustave Mustaki, Alexandria, Egypt; exported from Egypt to the UK under license circa 1951.
Elsa MacLellan, UK, inherited from the above; thence by descent.
with Charles Ede, London, 2016.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

Taweret was the patron goddess of women in childbirth and was one of the most popular household deities. She combined human attributes with that of the hippopotamus, lion and crocodile, in a ferocious look to frighten away evil demons. The use of red jasper may link her to the desert, the god Seth and destruction, therefore enhancing her power to fight evil.

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