Ancient Ring Fragment w/ Cartouche of Shabaka Neferkare Ex Gustave Jéquier (1868-1946)

Here you find a ring fragment in reddish tone, with cartouche of Ne-fer-ka-re, which translates to "Beautiful is the soul of Re". He was a Nubian Pharaoh therefore this piece dates to 25th Dynasty. Measures 1" in length.

Shabaka was the second ruler of the Nubian line (25th dynasty) to rule Egypt. Scholars have generally agreed that he came to the throne in about 715 B.C. However, some think that it may have been 712 B.C. Shabaka's throne name is Neferkare, which means "Beautiful is the soul of Re". Re was a sun god in Egyptian mythology. During the early part of his reign, Shabaka encountered some opposition from the Saites and Bakenranef, who had been the last pharaoh of the 24th dynasty. That dynasty had been the last of Egypt's third intermediate period. Records of Shabaka's final victory over these opponents have not been found, but it can be assumed that he defeated them. Evidence indicates that the Nubians were clearly in control of Egypt. Shabaka had several wives. They were:

Queen Tabakenamun - She was given a lot of responsibility as a queen. For example, she held the position of Priestess of Hathor, Mistress of Tepihu (Aophroditopolis). Tabakenamun was also Priestess of Hathor of Iunyt (Dendara) and held the office of Priestess of Neit.

Queen Mesbat - She was very likely the mother of the high priest of Amun, Harenmakhet. Her name is inscribed on Harenmakhet's sarcophagus.

Qalhata - This queen was the mother of Shabaka's son Tantamani.

A signifcant manuscript of Shabaka's reign is inscribed on the Shabaka Stone. This text tells of the theology of the gods and creation. The Shabaka Stone is basalt; it is now in the British Museum in London.

Many building projects took place during the reign of Shabaka. It is obvious that he intended to be on the good side of the clergy. Shabaka had many religious centers built. They include:

Memphis (cult center of Ptah) Abydos (Osiris) Edfu (Horus) Dendara (Hathor) Esna (Knum) Shabaka enlarged the entrance of the Ptah temple. He also had the "Treasury of Shabaka" constructed between the northern wall of the Iput-Isut and the Akh-Menu. Shabaka died in 702 B.C. and was buried at El-Kurru in Nubia. His burial place was a steep sided pyramid. Shebitku became the new king. It is uncertain whether Shebitku was a son of Shabaka. It has been speculated that he was a son of Piye, the predecessor of Shabaka. Neal Robbins

For reference see: Aidan Dodson & Dyan Hilton: The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson, 2004, p.237

1. Frame, The Inscription of Sargon II at Tang-i Var, Orientalia 68 (1999), pp.31-57
   
   Dan'el Kahn, "The Inscription of Sargon II at Tang-i Var and the Chronology of Dynasty 25," Orientalia 70 (2001), pp.1-3
   
   Provenance: Collected by Gustave Jéquier (1868-1946)
   
   Ex. Billy Jamieson Collection, 2009 (1954-2011)