246 - Amulet; Egypt, 25th Dynasty, ca. 747–656 B.C.

Amulet; Egypt, 25th Dynasty, ca. 747–656 B.C. Basalt. Measurements: 2.5 x 4.5 x 3 cm; 4.5 cm (height including base). Provenance: Family legacy of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Archaeological collection formed from the 1950s by successive generations of the family, through acquisitions in European galleries and auction houses. Small in size and compact in form, this basalt amulet features a zoomorphic design, rendered through a synthetic modeling technique in which volume and silhouette take center stage. The choice of an animal form is not merely an aesthetic decision: in Egyptian tradition, the depiction of animals was one of the fundamental means of expressing the presence and qualities of deities and protective forces. Amulets played an essential role in Egyptian culture, both in daily life and in funerary contexts. They were believed to possess protective and apotropaic properties, intended to shield the wearer from physical and supernatural dangers and to promote their well-being. In funerary contexts, they could accompany the deceased and magically contribute to their protection and their journey to the Afterlife. Examples from the 25th Dynasty illustrate precisely the diversity of forms and materials used for this type of object, ranging from figures of deities to depictions of animals. The 25th Dynasty, of Kushite origin and linked to the Kingdom of Napata, constitutes one of the most unique periods in Egyptian history. Its rulers governed Egypt for approximately a century and demonstrated a strong desire to revive and revitalize the religious and artistic traditions of Ancient Egypt.