Nefertem was a Memphite sun god who was also
worshipped as a god of perfume. His name,
which means "tem the younger," is an indication
that he is believed to be an incarnation of the
Heliopolitan sun god Tem. In this form, he
represented the rising sun that sprang from a
lotus each morning. Nefertem became absorbed
into the Memphite triad and was believed to be
the son of Sekhmet, the fierce lion-headed
goddess, and Ptah, the creator god of Memphis.
The god is usually depicted with a lotus shaped
headdress and is frequently shown holding an
ankh, a lotus scepter surmounted by plumes, or
a khepesh (a type of curved dagger). He is
sometimes represented as a youth who wears the
distinctive side-lock worn by young princes or
gods. This striking faience amulet depicts
Nefertem wearing a lotus flower headdress from
which two plumes emerge. Although the legs of
the figure have been lost, the orientation of his
pleated kilt shows that he is striding forward on
his left leg, which was a formulaic pose
employed by the Egyptians in standing figures.
- (PF.2996)
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