Ring with Protective Inscription
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Late Period rings often bore texts invoking divine protection for their owners, both living and dead. This ring's inscription calls for "the goddess" of Heliopolis to protect Nakhthorheb, a priest of that city. Traces of sheet copper in the hieroglyphs reveal that they were overlaid with that reddish metal to enhance their visibility and appearance.
MEDIUM
Gold with copper overlays
DATES
ca. 664–342 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26 to Dynasty 30
PERIOD
Late Period
DIMENSIONS
13/16 in. (2.1 cm)
Bezel: 3/8 x 5/8 in. (1 x 1.6 cm)
(show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS
”May the goddesses of Heliopolis protect the God’s Father of Heliopolis, Nakh-hor-he b,” [Letter of J. Yoyotte, 7 Oct. 1960].
ACCESSION NUMBER
58.96
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Gold ring. Bezel in form of base of a scarab; flat; wide shank. finely incised inscription on bezel not entirely understood but apparently recording the priestly titles of one Nakht-hor-heb. Inscription overlaid with sheet of gold with high alloy of copper.
Condition: Intact.
CAPTION
Ring with Protective Inscription, ca. 664–342 B.C.E. Gold with copper overlays, 13/16 in. (2.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 58.96. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.58.96_wwg8.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation,
CUR.58.96_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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