Finger Ring Inscribed for the Aten "Lord of Eternity"
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Rings
The earliest Egyptian rings were purely decorative, but later rings came to carry significance.
By the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom, they were frequently inscribed with the name of a god, a king, or the owner. The most popular type was made of faience and bore the name of the reigning monarch. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of these simple, mold-made rings; they were probably distributed as mementos at religious or state celebrations. Other rings feature protective symbols, including the wedjat-eye. Wealthy members of Eighteenth Dynasty society often wore rings made of inlaid glass or semiprecious stones.
The earliest Egyptian rings were purely decorative, but later rings came to carry significance.
By the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom, they were frequently inscribed with the name of a god, a king, or the owner. The most popular type was made of faience and bore the name of the reigning monarch. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of these simple, mold-made rings; they were probably distributed as mementos at religious or state celebrations. Other rings feature protective symbols, including the wedjat-eye. Wealthy members of Eighteenth Dynasty society often wore rings made of inlaid glass or semiprecious stones.
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
ca. 1353â1329 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom, Amarna Period
DIMENSIONS
Diam. 15/16 x length of bezel 7/8 in. (2.4 x 2.2 cm)
(show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
24.382
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Finger Ring Inscribed for the Aten "Lord of Eternity," ca. 1353â1329 B.C.E. Bronze, Diam. 15/16 x length of bezel 7/8 in. (2.4 x 2.2 cm) . Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 24.382. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.24.382_erg456.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, CUR.24.382_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 9/6/2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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