menat

Counterpoise of a menat necklace
This faience amulet depicts a so-called menat, a counterpoise for a necklace of multiple rows. The counterpoise could function independently as an amulet and be worn as a pendant on a chain, as is indicated by the loop on the back. It could also function as a funerary gift. As is common for this type of object, the Hildesheim menat has the head of a lion goddess with a wig and a solar disk. It possibly depicts the goddess Sakhmet / Menhit.
Pr...esent location PELIZAEUS-MUSEUM [04/030] HILDESHEIM
Inventory number 4862
Dating 26TH DYNASTY (not after); LATE PERIOD; 25TH DYNASTY AND CONTEMPORARIES (not before)
Archaeological Site UNKNOWN
Category COUNTERPOISE OF MENAT
Material FAIENCE; GLAZE
Technique FAYENCE; GLAZED
Height 9.8 cm
Width 3.4 cm
Depth 1.8 cm

Bibliography•Meisterwerke altägyptischer Keramik : 5000 Jahre Kunst und Kunsthandwerk aus Ton und Fayence, Montabaur 1978, Kat.-Nr. 138.
•Eggebrecht, A. (Hrsg.), Nofret - Die Schöne : Die Frau im Alten Ägypten; "Wahrheit" und Wirklichkeit, Hildesheim - Mainz 1985, Kat.-Nr. 168.
•Seipel, W., u.a., Ägypten : Im Reich der Pharaonen; Auf der Suche nach Schönheit und Vollkommenheit, Leoben 2001, Kat.-Nr. 185.
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