An Egyptian Faience Red Crown Amulet, Late Period, ca. 664 - 332 BCE

The Red Crown, worn by Narmer as king of conquered Lower Egypt (the delta), first appears in amuletic form as early as the First Intermediate Period. Its characteristic shape is a low cylinder with a tall spike at the back and an uncurling spiral projecting at the

front.  Called in Egyptian dsrt (deshret) 'Red One' (but also 'Great One', like the White Crown), the Red Crown was probably made

from red-dyed linen or leather over a frame. Its coloring was invariable yet, aside from a few early examples carved from carnelian, amulets of this type are usually of green glazed composition, as seen here. 

These amulets are considered ones of power, as the crown would only have been worn by the pharaoh and certain deities, so such amulets, when placed on the mummy of a commoner, would imbue them with the same aura of power and authority as the pharaoh or deity.  

For a very similar example see:  Boston Museum of Fine Arts, accession #57.504

Ref: Carol Andrews, Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London: British Museum Press (1994) p. 75

Dimensions: Height: 1 1/4 inches  (3 cm)  

Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall, a rare and superb example.

Provenance:  Private Maryland collection of a diplomat, acquired while serving in Egypt between 1949 and 1956, and then by descent.

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