Egyptian Glazed Faience Amulet of Ptah, ex Christie's

Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A wonderful, mold-formed faience amulet depicting Ptah, the ancient creator god of Memphis and patron deity of all craftsmen. Ptah stands in mummiform with fused legs and has broad shoulders, a pierced dorsal pillar, and holds with both hands a tall was-scepter surmounted with a stylized animal head. Atop the front of the legs is a djed pillar - a symbol of endurance and stability - and an elaborate wesekh-collar drapes in front of and behind the chest. His petite head features ovoid eyes, a narrow nose, and cupped ears, all beneath a tight-fitting cap. Stunning blue-hued glaze envelops the entire composition, and darker, cobalt-blue glaze accentuates areas of the chest and head. Size: 0.5" W x 1.7" H (1.3 cm x 4.3 cm); 2.375" H (6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Canadian collection, acquired in July, 2011 from Alexander Ancient Art, Voorschoten, The Netherlands; ex-private American collection, acquired from Christie's, London in the 1980s

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#148543
Condition Report: Minor abrasions and light pitting to body, head, and dorsal pillar, with minor fading to original glaze coloration, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great traces of original glaze color throughout. Old number "808:40" written in black ink atop dorsal pillar.