<em>Signet Ring Bearing the Name of Amunhotep II</em>, ca. 1426–1400 B.C.E. Silver, 1/2 × 7/8 × 7/8 in. (1.3 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.726E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.726E_front_PS20.jpg)

Signet Ring Bearing the Name of Amunhotep II, ca. 1426–1400 B.C.E. Silver, 1/2 × 7/8 × 7/8 in. (1.3 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.726E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.726E_front_PS20.jpg)

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Signet Ring Bearing the Name of Amunhotep II

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The enemies of Ma'at took many forms, but none was more immediate or threatening than hostile foreigners. From earliest times, Egyptian artisans made images of the king smiting enemies with his mace or war club in a symbolic pose of triumph. These representations ranged in size from huge reliefs on temple walls to tiny figures on finger rings.

Rings such as this example served as effective amulets, ensuring the wearer of victory over obstacles that threatened the order of his or her life or afterlife.

MEDIUM Silver

Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt

DATES ca. 1426–1400 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 1/2 × 7/8 × 7/8 in. (1.3 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.726E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented, reportedly from Saqqara, Egypt; by 1852, acquired in Egypt by Henry Abbott; 1859, purchased from Henry Abbott by the New-York Historical Society, New York, NY; 1937, loaned by the New-York Historical Society to the Brooklyn Museum; September 1948, purchased from the New-York Historical Society by the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One silver signet ring cast in two pieces and soldered together; the ends of the shank after casting having been hammered to make them thinner and wider. The bezel of square shape depicts a smiting scene and contains the name of Amenhotep II. Condition: Well-shaped but the execution is crude.

EXHIBITIONS

Africa Fashion

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Signet Ring Bearing the Name of Amunhotep II, ca. 1426–1400 B.C.E. Silver, 1/2 × 7/8 × 7/8 in. (1.3 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.726E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.726E_front_PS20.jpg)

IMAGE front, 37.726E_front_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2024

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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