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Shu

Egyptian (Artist)
ca. 664-343 BCE (Late Period, 26th-30th dynasty)
Egyptian faience with pale blue glaze
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )

Shu, the son of the creator and sun god in the Heliopolitan creation myth, represents the principle of air. Together with his consort, Tefnut- the principle of moisture, as well as Geb (earth) and Nut (sky), he was one of the first deities. Shu was responsible for separating Geb and Nut and securing the space of the universe; therefore he also represented the life principle.

Amulets of Shu became popular in the Late Period. This amulet represents Shu in his standardized form. He is kneeling on his right knee with his left knee drawn up. Both arms are raised (to lift up the sky), and he wears a long wig and a pleated kilt.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
7/23/1959 Treatment cleaned
4/20/1977 Treatment cleaned
7/30/1998 Examination examined for condition
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Geographies

Egypt (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 1 1/4 x W: 11/16 x D: 9/16 in. (3.2 x 1.75 x 1.5 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by Henry Walters, by 1931

Location in Museum

Centre Street: Second Floor: Egyptian Art

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

48.1683

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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