A bronze statuette of the god Amun-Min standing on a rectangular base with erect penis in his left hand, flail supported on his right shoulder, segmented collar to his neck, ribbon hanging down his back to the base, flat-topped crown with solar disk and plumes of Amun above; hieroglyphic text with name to two faces of the base.

PROVENANCE:
Property of a South West London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; by descent 1986.

PUBLISHED:
Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate.

LITERATURE:
See Malek, J. In the Shadow of the Pyramids: Egypt During the Old Kingdom, London, 1986, p.25 for discussion.

FOOTNOTES:
Min is an extremely ancient deity who can be found as a primary deity in the Archaic Period of Egypt, and who is connected with procreation and believed to dwell in the eastern deserts as well as the protector of the mines in this region. He was often assimilated into the cults of Horus and Amun as both were considered protector and creator deities. Min's primary function in procreation was the creation of the universe and the maintaining of cosmic order for its continued existence. During the New Kingdom, the Pharaoh, in the celebratory rituals surrounding his coronation, participated in a major procession and feast in honour of Min whose powers of fertility and regeneration could be seen as symbolising the vigorous renewal of sovereignty. As well as being a deity associated with fertility of both nature and man, he also provided incense for use by mankind in honouring the gods and perfuming themselves, and thus became known as the "Ruler of Nubia" where the valued incense originated.