Now with gold bail. The Sacred Nile Fish. Original ancient Egyptian talisman
Update: Update: Now with added gold bails to accommodate larger chains.
An Egyptian agate fish amulet, New Kingdom, Dynasty XIX, circa 1279–1212 B.C.
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This is an original ancient Egyptian amulet, carved more than 3,200 years ago during Egypt’s New Kingdom, circa 1279–1212 B.C.
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More than 3,200 years ago, this little fish was created to be carried as a personal symbol of protection, vitality, renewal and rebirth.
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Acquired from a trusted and established European antiquities dealer.
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Length 29mm
2.15 grams
Added large 14K bail
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For the ancient Egyptians, the tilapia fish carried powerful associations with protection, vitality, renewal and rebirth. The fish consequently became an emblem of daily solar renewal, linked to the sun’s passage through the waters of the netherworld and its re-emergence at dawn.
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These were not simply decorative little fish. Amulets of this form were worn by the living, particularly women and children, as protective devices. They were also placed among funerary equipment, where their symbolism of regeneration was connected with helping the deceased through the process of rebirth.
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This 3 cm example is carved in the round from beautifully banded agate in deep red and honey-yellow tones. Hardstone examples belonged to a more restricted category than the far more common faience fish amulets.
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The natural banding of the agate has been deliberately incorporated into the fish itself, with darker red concentrated around the head and dorsal ridge and translucent yellow illuminating the fins and belly. Its warm red tones carried their own symbolism, associated with blood, vitality and the protective heat of the sun, particularly fitting for an amulet whose function concerned the preservation and renewal of life.
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The choice of agate suggests that this was a higher-status personal amulet, made for someone with access to more prestigious and labour-intensive materials than the commonly used faience.
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The fish has a slightly arched body, a broad rounded head with a large incised and drilled eye, lightly carved scales and a tail ending in two pointed lobes. A pierced suspension terminal above its head shows that it was made to be worn hanging tail-downward.
From the seller: We use connoisseurship, or expert attribution judgment. We use scientific analysis to ensure that the materials known to have been available and used during the time period. We validate the ownership history (provenance) and review each item before accepting it to ensure it is authentic and correctly cataloged. We are reviewing past ownership records, receipts, and the paper trail of where the object came from before offering it for sale. Provenance on both pieces: In a British Collection from 1995 to the present.