Faux Gamer

A pectoral made of electrum with remains of lapis lazuli, carnelian, and feldspar inlays. It probably dates to the reign of Senwosret II or Senwosret III (1887-1840 BC) during the 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. "In this emblematic pectoral, the two animals represent counterparts—whether Upper and Lower Egypt, the valley and the desert, or, more broadly, order [as associated with the god Horus] and disorder [as represented by the god Seth]—that together create totality. The hieracosphinx, on the left, symbolizes Horus, the animal on the right Seth. The emblem between them depicts Hathor, a sky goddess who has relationships with both gods. The bent papyrus plants with umbels curving to support the pair of wedjat eyes (here probably denoting the sun and moon) are also Hathoric symbols. Between the eyes, two uraei protect the sun. While other pectorals employ a falcon to represent Horus, this heraldic configuration uses the sphinx to elegantly balance the god Seth's lean, doglike body." ― Patch, Diana Craig, "74. Pectoral with an Opposing Seth Animal and Hieracosphinx," in Oppenheim, A., D. Arnold, D. Arnold, and K. Yamamoto, eds., Ancient Egypt Transformed: The Middle Kingdom, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA, p. 141, 2015. This pectoral (ECM 1585), which is 3.8 centimeters in height, is now in The Myers Museum at Eton College, Windsor, England. 📷© Eton College Collections #archaeohistories