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Amulet of Khnum or Harsaphes (Heryshef)
Egyptian
Late Period, Dynasty 25–30
760–332 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Faience
Dimensions
Overall: 2.5 cm (1 in.)
Credit Line
Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession Number72.4026
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Amulets
DescriptionThis amulet of brownish faience depicts a ram-headed male deity standing and walking forward. Egypt had multiple ram gods and it is often difficult to identify which one is intended. This god may be Khnum, the patron deity of Elephantine (modern Aswan) or Harsaphes, the patron of Heracleopolis. In either case, amulets of this type were placed in burials to assist the rebirth of the deceased in the afterlife. There is a hole in the back pillar for suspension.
ProvenanceBy 1836: Robert Hay Collection, Linplum, Scotland; 1863: to his son, Robert James Alexander Hay; 1868-1872: Way Collection, Boston (purchased by Samuel A. Way through London dealers Rollin and Feuardent, 27 Haymarket); 1872: given to the MFA by Samuel's son, C. Granville Way.