A GREEN FAIENCE AMULET OF SHU, THE GOD OF AIR AND ATMOSPHERE, LATE PERIOD, DYNASTY XXVI
Lot 49 - ANT1125

Published: Charles Ede Ltd., Small Sculptures from Ancient Egypt, 1979, no. 29.

Expert’s note: Shu, the god of air, is most often shown in the Heliopolitan cosmogony separating the sky goddess Nut from the earth god Geb, a role central to creation yet rarely celebrated in independent cult. Consequently, depictions of Shu as a standalone figure are uncommon in Egyptian art, and statues or amulets of the god are seldom encountered in collections.
Western interest in Shu intensified after the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, where vivid images of him adorned the gilded shrines and other furnishings. These high-profile depictions brought a new visibility to the god, making works associated with him especially appealing to collectors and institutions in the modern era.

Egypt, Sais, circa 664-525 BC. This finely modeled amulet depicts Shu kneeling down on one knee atop an integral base, supporting a solar disc between his upraised hands, wearing a neatly incised shendyt (royal kilt).

Provenance: With Charles Ede Ltd., London. The collection of Dr. P. G. Giacometti, acquired from the above on 2 July 1979. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 26 June 2018, lot 428. A private collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. A copy of a certificate of authenticity and invoice from Charles Ede Ltd., dated 2 July 1979, confirming the dating above, accompanies this lot. Charles Ede Ltd., founded in 1971 by Charles Richard Montague Ede (1921–2002), is recognized as one of the world’s leading dealers in ancient art, specializing in works from Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire, as well as early European art before c. 1000 AD. After early ventures in publishing and the arts, Ede turned his attention to antiquities, establishing the firm that now enjoys an international reputation and a prominent presence at major art fairs worldwide.
Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear and expected encrustations, all commensurate with age.

Weight: 5.8 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: 2.9 cm (excl. stand), 3.5 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted on a wood stand. (2)

Shu was the god of air and atmosphere, whose separation of earth and sky allowed sunlight to illuminate the world. His name, meaning ‘he who rises up,’ linked him with the firmament, including mist and clouds. Over the later Dynastic Period, his role expanded to embody cosmic order itself, with his association with air extending to the breath of life (R. Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, London, 2003, p. 130). This broader cosmic dimension led to a greater presence of Shu in prayers and religious texts, reflecting his importance in sustaining both the universe and human existence.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 3 July 2019, lot 21
Price: GBP 56,250 or approx. EUR 91,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An Egyptian green faience shu amulet, Late Period, circa 664-332 BC
Expert remark: Compare the identical subject and material. Note the larger size (7 cm).