ネフェルテム神護符ねふぇるてむしんごふ

  • エジプト
  • 第３中間時代
  • 前１０６９－前７１５年頃
  • 銀
  • H-15.3 D-7 W-3.4

ネフェルティムとは、造化の神プタハと、ライオンの頭を持つ女神セクメトとの息子として、古都メンフィスを守護する聖なる年少の神である。三つの部分からなるかつらや、頭頂部の蓮花は神の特長である。額の聖蛇と中央にたれ布のついた腰布は王を示す。再生と復活を約束する創世と太陽のサイクルに密接に結びつけられたこの神は理想的護符であり、背部に釣り下げるための輪がついている。

Catalogue Entry

Nefertem was the primeval lotus flower upon which the young sun god rose above the waters of chaos at the beginning of creation. Early texts refer to him as "Nefertem, who is at the nose of Re [the sun god]." As the son of the creator-god Ptah and the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, Nefertem formed the junior member of the divine triad of the city of Memphis. He appears here striding, left foot advanced, arms hanging at his sides. His tripartite wig and long, plaited wig are those of a god; the ureaus (rearing cobra) on his brow and the short kilt with central tab in front are kingly attributes. The lotus flower on his head, supported in traditional fashion by two menats, or necklace counterpoises, proclaims his identity.

A deity so closely connected with creation and the solar cycle, with its promise of regeneration and rebirth, was an ideal amulet.1 This exquisite example, of solid cast silver, is provided with a loop in the back for suspension.
LMB


1. Andrews 1994, pp. 18-19.