PLATE I.SOME ROYAL SIGNET-RINGS.
I. Signet-ring of Apepŷ I. In the possession of Mr. Theodore M. Davis. The bezel is of green-glazed steatite, carved in the shape of a scarabaeus-beetle with a human head, and mounted in a thin gold funda. On the base of the bezel is engraved in intaglio, and within a cartouche, the name of the “Good King Aauser-ra (Apepŷ I), giving life.” The cartouche is surrounded by a continuous rope-pattern. The hoop of the ring is of gold, and the bezel is secured to it by means of a gold wire running longitudinally through the funda and scarab, and coiled tightly round its two ends.
II. Signet-ring of Amenhetep II. In the Egyptian Museum of the Louvre. The bezel is of solid gold, in the form of a rectangular plaque. On one face are engraved, in intaglio, the titles and prenomen of Amenhetep II: “The King of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Lord of the Two Lands, Aa-kheperu-ra,” the cartouche being surmounted by two cobras, and resting on thenub-sign. On the other face are the titles:Heru,ka nekht,user pehtet, “the Horus and Mighty Bull, strong in power.” The bezel is pierced longitudinally by a narrow hole, and it is fixed to the hoop of the ring bymeans of a rod running through it, and rivetted to the shoulders.
III. Signet-ring of Nefer-ka-ra (Psamtek II). In the possession of Mr. Walter Nash. A plain hoop of gold, beaten out into a lozenge-shaped plate, upon which is cut, in intaglio, the prenomen of Psamtek II.
IV. Signet-ring of Neferu-kheperu-ra Setep-en-ra (Akh-en-aten). In the possession of Mr. Walter Nash. A hoop of silver, with massive bezel, the inner surface of which is curved, and the outer flat, with the prenomen of Akh-en-aten engraved upon it.
V. Signet-ring of Zeser-kheperu-ra Setep-en-ra (Hor-em-heb). In the Egyptian Museum of the Louvre. This is the most remarkable specimen of an ancient Egyptian signet-ring known. It is formed of a quadrangular plaque and a thick hoop, swollen in the middle for strength, both of solid gold; it weighs 125.50 grs. On one face of the plaque is engraved, in intaglio, the prenomen of Hor-em-heb, while on the other is a marching lion, emblem of royal power, and the wordsNeb Khepsh, “Lord of Valiance,” above it. Upon the two sides are delicately engraved: (1) a scorpion, and (2) a crocodile. The bezel is pierced longitudinally through its centre, and secured to the hoop by means of a thick gold wire, which threads the bezel, and is coiled round the two ends of the hoop.