Menat counterpoise

Oct 16, 2026 | Amulets of possession and property, Amulets of protection

Blue glaze with an edge grooved around the thickness menat counterpoise

The menat was a heavy collar associated with the Hathor goddess, counter-balanced by a pendulum-shaped counterpoise1. Undecorated ones are mainly in blue or green faience. Ornate ones have cat/lioness-headed goddesses (Bastet, Tefnut) or Hathor, Isis, and Mut aegises. These amulets are of the Ramesside Period onwards1

Blue glaze with an edge grooved around the thickness menat counterpoise
Blue glaze with an edge grooved around the thickness menat counterpoise

Unscaled Picture
Blue glaze with an edge grooved around the thickness H 2.2, W 1.3, T 0.4 Late Period Private collection DA

Blue glaze with Hathor head menat counterpoise

Blue glaze with Hathor head Approximate H 12.0, Late Period Private Collection © Photograph D. Attaix

Early imported copper alloy menat counterpoise

Early imported copper alloy H 14.7, W 4.8, T 0.3, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III © The Trustees of the British Museum #EA20760

Reference

1Andrews C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, 1994, pp. 41-42, Figs. 40f, 97g