The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Poppy or cornflower amulets often appear in association with the healing, removal of pain and death. Amulets of this type were also associated with the Egyptian god Osiris, who was the god of agriculture as well as death and the afterlife. Both flowers were commonly found across Egypt, but especially around the Nile. Poppies also carried associations with rebirth and resilience due to the hardy nature of the plant. They were often made of carnelian to represent the actual flower but have also been modelled in gold much like this fine example, which possibly held additional meanings due to the material.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.