Headrest amulet


Hilton Price Number
HP1776
Current Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Museum Accession Number
1976.128
Object Type
Jewellery, Amulet
Periods
Late Period to Graeco-Roman Period
Material
Stone/minerals (Haematite)
Provenance
Egypt, Saqqara
Measurements
Height: 20mm | Width: 30mm | Depth: 11mm
Number of Elements
1
Culture
Egyptian

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Description

Haematite headrest amulet inscribed with the headrest spell from the Book of the Dead (Chapter 166) for the benefit of the Overseer of the Granary, Penu. The inscription covers the cushion, the pillar, the front of the base and the base itself. Recorded as coming from Saqqara. Purchased by the Museum of Fine Arts from Charles D. Kelekian on the 14 April 1976.

Catalogue Description

Pillow, [hieroglyphs] urs, or head rest. Upon it is inscribed in hieroglyphics the CLXVlth Chapter of the Book of the Dead, relating to the head not being taken from the deceased. ¹¹⁄₁₆ in X 1¼ in. Haematite. Very fine and rare. Saķķâra. [Hieroglyphs with transcription and translation]

Bibliography

Price, Frederick George Hilton (1897) A catalogue of the Egyptian antiquities in the possession of F. G. Hilton Price. London: Quaritch. [p. 190] Anonymous (1911). Catalogue of the important and extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities, the property of the late F. G. Hilton-Price, Esq. [...] : which will be sold by auction by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge [...] on Wednesday, 12th July, 1911, and two following days, and on Monday, the 17th of July, and four following days. London: Davy. [p. 17]

Link To Museum Catalogue
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/164379
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Van Siclen Number
127
Auction
Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge: 12–14, 17–21 Jul 1911, Lot 127
Hilton Price Lot Description
A small Amulet, shaped as the head-rest; hematite, 1¼ in. long; upon the top, front and base is inscribed, in very well drawn hieroglyphs, the 156th chapter of the "Book of the Dead"; Sakkara; (1776); in very fine stone and excellently fashioned; rare and valuable.
Former Owners
Frederick George Hilton Price (1842–1909) | Charles Dikran Kelekian (1900–1982)

Language
Egyptian
Script
Hieroglyphic
Personal Name
Penu
Last modified: 03 Jul 2021
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