Lot 68
Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, Saite Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A rare set of carpentry amulets used as votive offerings for the dead, each hand-carved from lustrous hematite. The L-shaped amulet represents a carpenter's set-square, a ubiquitous tool used for confirming proper angularity. The second amulet depicts a carpenter's plummet (also plumb-line) used for measuring the vertical accuracy of an angle. Both the set-square and plummet are almost always found together in tombs, so this is a fantastic and historically-appropriate set of architectural artifacts! Size (plummet): 0.17" L x 0.71" W x 0.79" H (0.4 cm x 1.8 cm x 2 cm); (set-square): 0.16" L x 0.60" W x 0.79" H (0.4 cm x 1.5 cm x 2 cm)
According to Egyptologist Carol Andrews, "Characteristic of burials of the Saite Period and later are two amulets which are almost invariably found together, the carpenter's set-square and plummet (or plumb-line), which were probably both known in Egyptian under the single name sb3 (seb3). The set-square takes the form of two often unequal lengths of square-sectioned rod which meet at a right angle. The plummet comprises a set-square with its junction at the top from which hangs a cord ending in a weight; the whole instrument was used to check verticality. As often as not there are no internal details, so the outline resembles a pyramid with feet. Both amulets are most frequently made of dark stone, especially haematite in the case of the set-square, although there are a few examples in glazed composition of Ptolemaic date. Possession of a set-square amulet would guarantee its owner eternal rectitude, a plummet eternal equilibrium." (Andrews, Carol. "Amulets of Ancient Egypt." University of Texas Press, 1994, pp. 85-86)
Cf. Andrews, Carol. "Amulets of Ancient Egypt." University of Texas Press, 1994, p. 85, figs. 87a, c.
Cf. The British Museum, museum number EA8332; The Brooklyn Museum, accession number 16.580.25; and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 29.1381.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired before 2004
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#182093
- Condition: Both with small chips and light abrasions, otherwise intact and excellent. Great surface smoothness and luster throughout. Previous inventory label on verso of each amulet.
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