Lot 143: Under the Protection of the Gods

Under the Protection of the Gods signed and dated 'Howard Carter 1908' (lower right) watercolour 62 x 46cm (24 7/16 x 18 1/8in).

62x 46cm

The Fine Art Society, London

The present lot depicts the vulture, typically associated with the goddess Nekhebet, patroness of the city of El-Kab in Upper Egypt. Below the vulture the cobra draped around the solar disc can be identified as Wadjet, the patron and protector of Lower Egypt. After the unification of Egypt in c. 3000 BC, both goddesses were retained, being referred to in ancient texts as 'The Two Ladies' and shown together as part of the crowns of Egypt. They became responsible for establishing the laws, protecting the rulers and the Egyptian country and promoting peace. During the time that this work was painted in 1908, Carter was working with Lord Carnavon overseeing excavations in Thebes. Among his discoveries during this period (1907-1914) were the Tomb of Tetaki from the 18th Dynasty and another tomb of the 15th Dynasty containing the coffins of nine persons. Both goddesses here hold the Ankh, the Ancient Egyptian symbol for eternal life suggesting that Carter may have drawn inspiration for the work from the tomb decorations he saw in Thebes.