Mould

Limestone figure-mould, square shaped and carved on one side in sunken relief with a benu-bird. The benu-bird was a symbol of creation and rebirth and for these reasons was associated with the gods Atum, Ra and Osiris. In spells of the Book of the Dead numbers 29B and 30B the benu-bird is called the 'soul of Ra’. Moulds like this may have been used in the manufacture of glass or faience amulets or decorative inlays. . Cracked along the back and glued. Chipped in places with a chip just above the representation of a bird. H.P. 508 (i.e., Wellcome's inventory number of objects purchased at the Hilton Price sale. Purchased at Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 12-20 July 1911 (Hilton Price collection) lot 252 (1 of 8): “A stone mould, with figure of the ‘Bennu’ bird of Heliopolis; and a pair of stone Moulds, with similar designs; from Bubastis; (3548, 4015)”. CONDITION NOTE (1998): Previous repair, chipped, around break edges, areas of loss, chipped surface, surface dirt, label adhered to surface.