The staircase was intended to facilitate the ascent of the dead to the heaven1. These uncommon amulets have 6 to 9 steps1 and are not only in green and blue faience1,2. They were produced from Dynasty 26 onwards1,2
Blue glaze with 6 steps3
L 2.1, H 1.4, T 0.6 Late Period
© 2012 Musée du Louvre/
Christian Décamps #E 5837
Blue glaze unusual with 10 steps L 2.8,
H 1.0, T 0.5 Late Period Museo Egizio #1354
Unusual in white glaze with 6 steps3
L 1.3, H 0.6, T 0.4
Late Period Private collection DA
References
1Petrie W M F. Amulets, 1914, p. 17 and Fig. 46
2Andrews C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, 1994, p. 88 and Fig. 89f
3The number of steps is not co-incidental. For numbers, see Wilkinson R H. Symbol & Magic in Egyptian art, 1999, Thames & Hudson, pp. 126-147