Gold and Feldspar Fish Amulet
Egypt
c.1900-1800 BCE
12th Dynasty
Fish amulet representing the ‘tilapia’ or ‘bolti’ fish, called ‘nekhau’ in Egyptian. Made from sheet gold with green feldspar inlay. Has a ring at it’s nose to be hung by.
Used as a charm against drowning by children. Fish amulets were often placed at the end of a plait on young children and young women. Also a symbol regeneration.