Circa 664-332 BC, Late Dynastic Period A bright blueposition amulet in the shape of the 'Ankh', the Key of Life. Perhaps the best known of all amuletic motifs is that called the 'nk (ankh) which, because as a hieroglyphic sign it is used to write the words life, alive, living and to live, embraces all those connotations as an amulet. Individual ankh amulets are surprisingly few. R.H. Blanchard (Handbook of Egyptian Gods and Mummy Amulets) writes that whereas Ankh or Key of Life, the emblem of life, is the mostmon amulet found in sculptures and paintings, but very rare in actual amulet objects. Size: L:31mm / W:18mm; 3.7g Provenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s; previously in 1970s UK collection.