Ancient Egyptian Steatite Cowroid with Khepri Ex. Gustav Jequier (1868-1946)

Measurement: 1.4 x 1 x .5 cm

Material/colour: creamy white steatite

Technique: stone carving; no trace of glaze; pierced lengthwise

Condition: either carving of the glyphs or drilling of the hole for suspension lead to holes opening up in bottom of glyphs.

Date: Second Intermediate Period

Identification and Interpretation: Cowroids always have a connotation of female sexuality. The scarabs beetle pushes a ball (the sun) in front of him, an image of solar renewal. The glyphs could be understood as an image of the god of Dawn, Khepri, the god of change and new beginnings.

Workmanship: Both the Re and the Kheper signs are so deeply carved that they have broken through into the passage for threading. The scarab is very well carved, with attention to detail of wing-covers and legs.

Function and Meaning: Such an amulet could have been worn in life or death to ensure renewal for its owner.

Parallels: see Schultz, Kheperu (2007), p.81, Cat. No. 53, acc. no. 42.389. The Baltimore specimen is a scarab, rather than a cowroid.

Provenance: Collected by Gustave Jéquier (1868-1946)

Ex. Billy Jamieson Collection, 2009 (1954-2011)

Authentication: Gayle Gibson, Royal Ontario Museum Toronto