Ancient Egyptian carnelian Nehebkau amulet
In Egyptian mythology, Nehebkau (also spelled Nehebu-Kau, and Neheb Ka) was originally the explanation of the cause of binding of Ka and Ba after death. Thus his name, which means (one who) brings
together Ka. Since these aspects of the soul were said to bind after death, Nehebkau was said to have guarded the entrance to Duat, the underworld. His hieroglyphic sign, a Ka (double arms) with a
tail, was one of the more important glyphs in his name, and although it was technically a variation on the glyph for two arms raised in prayer, it also resembles a two-headed snake, and so Nehebkau
became depicted in art as a snake with two heads (occasionally with only one). As a two-headed snake, he was viewed as fierce, being able to attack from two directions, and not having to fear as
much
confrontations. Consequently sometimes it was said that Atum, the chief god in these areas, had to keep his finger on him to prevent Nehebkau from getting out of control. Alternatively, in areas
where Ra was the chief god, it was said that Nehebkau was one of the warriors who protected Ra whilst he was in the underworld, during Ra's nightly travel, as a sun god, under the earth. When he was
seen as a snake, he was also thought to have some power over snake-bites, and by extension, other venomous bites, such as those of scorpions, thus sometimes being identified as the son of Serket, the
scorpion-goddess of protection against these things. Alternatively, as a snake, since he was connected to an aspect of the soul, he was sometimes seen as the son of Renenutet, a snake-goddess, who
distributed the Ren, another aspect of the soul, and of the earth (Geb), on which snakes crawl. Ka is also the Egyptian word for sustenance, and is associated with spirit.
Period
1196 - 1070 BC
Material
Faience
Origin
Egypt
Height
22 millimeter
Width
7 millimeter
Deep
11 millimeter
Extra information
Very rare amulet with this depiction and made of the precious carnelian
Condition
In perfect condition
Registered and insured shipping.
Provenance:
Ex. private collection London, collected before the 1960's.
Important information:
No export license is needed to transport this lot within the European Union.
Because of the importance of this piece an export license must be requested as soon as it is to be sent outside the European Union. This needs to be done via the heritage inspection of the Dutch
Department of education, culture and science. This can be done only after purchase and can take up to several weeks.