Cowroid Seal Amulet Inscribed with a Decorative Motif
New Kingdom
Most of the amulets found in the foundation deposits of Hatshepsut's funerary temple were scarabs, but a hand full were carved in the shape of a cowrie shell. Like this one, the backs of most of these cowroids have been incised with a decorative pattern that suggests the setting of a swivel ring bezel (see 36.3.46). Others (27.3.180) have also been inscribed with the image of a bolti fish (a tilapia), and two have been carved with the image of a falcon, with its wings outstretched and wearing an atef-crown (27.3.164, 27.3.396).
The decoration on the base of this cowroid includes a central rosette and what appears to be a papyrus skiff which may represent the boat that transports the sun across the sky.
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