Faience, which dates back to pre-dynastic times,
of at least 5,000 years, is a glasslike non-clay
substance made of materials common to Egypt:
ground quartz, crushed quartz pebbles, flint, a
soluble salt-like baking soda, lime and ground
copper, which provided the characteristic color.
The dried objects went into kilns looking pale
and colorless but emerged a sparkling "Egyptian
blue." Called tjehnet by the ancient Egyptians,
meaning that which is brilliant or scintillating,
faience was thought to be filled with the undying
light of the sun, moon and stars and was
symbolic of rebirth. Ancient Egyptians believed
the small blue-green objects helped prepare
them for eternity in the afterlife.
Sekhmet, along with her husband the creator-
god Ptah and their son Nerfertum, was part of
the powerful trio of deities that protected
Ancient Memphis. She was a sun goddess,
embodying the scorching, burning, destructive
heat of the sun. Fierce goddess of war, the
destroyer of the enemies of Ra and Osiris, she
was represented as having the head of a lioness
and the body of a female human. Like the sun,
her temper was uncontrollable. In the legend of
Ra and Hathor, Sekhmet's anger became so
great, she would have destroyed all of mankind if
Ra had not taken pity on us and made her drunk.
This diminutive pendant of the goddess Sekhmet
is a masterpiece of intricacy. She is represented
with the head of a lioness and the body of a
woman seated upon a throne, holding a wadj
(papyrus) scepter in her left hand. A suspension
loop behind her head reveals that this work
would have been worn on a necklace as an
amulet. This pendant must have been
particularly affective considering that it
combines the imagery of the revered feline with
the sacred material of faience. Certain objects,
masterpieces treasured in their own time, are of
an eternal beauty that is easily appreciated
regardless of era or culture. This amulet is one
such stunning example; a reminder of how close
the glories of Ancient Egypt, from the most
monumental pyramids to intimate, personal
relics of faith such as this pendant.
- (X.0132)
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