Keywords: Egyptian - Usekh with the Head of a Goddess - Walters 542137.jpg The Egyptians used a variety of special objects to perform the rituals for the gods The image of a special collar called an usekh surmounted by the head of a god or goddess was such an object also called an aegis originally a Greek term for shield It was used to invoke the gods to guarantee protection and was also used as an ornament on the bow and stern of a sacred ship This bronze usekh is combined with the head of a goddess which is crowned by a calathos with uraei cobra serpents cow horns and a sun-disk This crown was originally related to Hathor but later was also used for Isis The collar itself displays floral ornaments and has two falcon-head terminals This heavy bronze usekh was probably attached to the bow of a wooden sacred boat ca 380 340 BC Late Period bronze with gold and silver inlay cm 23 accession number 54 2137 17413 Sheik Ismail Sakkara date and mode of acquisition unknown Henry Walters city Baltimore Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters 1931 Daily Magic in Ancient Egypt The Walters Art Museum Baltimore 2006-2007 place of origin Egypt Walters Art Museum license Ancient Egyptian art in the Walters Art Museum Ancient Egyptian aegis |