Code: 2472
Description: A small pale blue faience Djed column amulet with back pillar pierced for suspension. A small chip to the base and a flaw resulting in distortion of the column, otherwise condition good.
Size: 19 mm/0.7 in. in length
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Late Dynastic Period, c. 730-300 B.C.
Provenance: From the collection of Julian Bird (1959-2014).
Background: Julian Bird was a passionate collector of Egyptian antiquities, who built up a fine and extensive collection from the 1970s onwards. He sourced his items mainly from the UK market, from specialist dealers, fairs, markets and auctioneers. He was a model collector, carefully documenting his collection, although we do not have his notes for this particular item.
Notes: The Djed pillar was a popular amulet which symbolised the backbone of Osiris and takes the form of the heiroglyphic sign meaning ‘enduring’ or ‘stable’.