Egyptian - Signet Ring with Name of King Akhenaten - Walters 571471

This heavy gold signet ring bears the throne name of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten (1351-1334 BC). It was cast in one piece; the deeper parts of the hieroglyphics were cut into the model before casting and the finer details chased onto it afterwards. The hieroglyphs on the bezel of the ring are not consistent with the style of the Amarna Period (particularly the shape of the kheper-beetle, as well as the nefer-sign next to it). The ring was bought in Cairo in 1929 and it is possible that it was produced in Egypt in the time of the excavations at Amarna (capital of Akhentaten in Middle Egypt) in the early 20th century or shortly after.