W10, king

W10

 

Close up showing the central heart pendant with a squatting image of the king. Either side of the squatting figures are two  figures holding staffs.

The heart amulet is unusual in Amarna Period art. Elswehere, it usually has a funerary meaning and in the early New Kingdom is particulalrly associated with royalty. 

Note that the squatting figure of the king wears a sidlock. This together with his squatting position, possibly with finger to mouth suggests that childhood, and thus possible rebirth, or the idea of the king as a child of the Aten, is invoked.

The figures with the staff can be seen on another of our collars. For more information on these amulets click here.

For general information on the collars click here.

See Stevens, A. 2006 Private Religion at Amarna p 45-46 for parallels to the squatting king.