C. 713-332 BC – Late Period

A blue glazed faience amulet of Shu, god of the air, who is associated with the principle of life. He is depicted kneeling with arm raised and sun disc. Shu initiated life by raising the sky in order to separate it from the earth.

The Heliopolitan creation myth, describes how to world was created by Atum, the creator of the humans and gods, who willed himself into existence. Atum was responsible for bringing order to the heavens and the earth, and created Shu, the god of air and Tefnut, the god of moisture. These two gods then in turn created Geb, the earth god and Nut, the sky god. The god of the elements were then able to produce creation.

One knee is damaged otherwise good colour and of a nice style.

Provenance: Ex Zurqieh Co. Ancient Art, Dubai. Ex D. S. Collection, West Sussex, collected 1990’s-2000’s.

Ref: Amulets by W. M. Flinders Petrie. Similar examples to Plate XXX

Size: 31mm height