Description

Within two parallel oval lines this greenisch-blue ring is inscribed  with the prenomen of King Seti I, Men-Maat-Re. In addition to the personal name which every Egyptian was given at birth, the king of Egypt, when he ascended the throne, was given an official titulary consisting of five names in order to express his new identity as a king. 

Faience rings with ring and bezel combined were developed in the New Kingdom. In the Amarna period were produced in large quantities and were worn instead of amulets. As they are fragile, only some of them have survived intact. When blue faience is stored in a damp atmosphere, blue corrodes to green or completely disappears to white. 

Culture

Egyptian

Dating

New Kingdom, 19th dynasty, c. 1306-1290 BC

Size

2,1 cm (diagonal)

Provenance

Dutch private collection, bought via Bonhams Auctions in London. 

Arnold Meijer Collection, Netherlands, aqcuited from below in September 2002

Gustave Posno (1841-1883) Collection, Netherlands collected in Egypt in the 2nd half of the 19th century, thence by decent.

Published

C.A.R. Andrews and J. van Dijk, Objects for Eternity, Egyptian Antiquities from the W. Arnold Meijer Collection, Mainz, 2006, page 108 & 109. Digital Copy of these pages will be provided. 

Exhibited

Allard Pierson Museum, 17th November 2006 - 25th March 2007.

Condition

Good condition, broken at either side of the stem.