Ancient Egyptian Turquoise Faience Horus Amulet

$442.04

An Ancient Egyptian turquoise faience amulet modelled in the shape of the falcon-headed god Horus. The deity is shown striding with his left leg forward, as he keeps his arms stiff at his sides with the hands clenched in fists. Such a stance, known as the ‘left foot forward’ stance, is one of the oldest standing figure types in Ancient Egyptian art. Later adopted and developed in Ancient Greece, it set the basis for the evolution of dynamism in sculptural art. The amulet shows an exceptional retention of details to the god’s figure. He wears a shendyt short kilt and rests against a pillar, which is pierced widthways for suspension. Above his head is a large sun disc, a typical attribute of the god.

Date: 6th - 4th Century BC
Period: Ptolemaic period
Condition: Excellent condition.

SOLD

SKU: MG-161 Category: Tags: , ,

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. Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. Small amulets depicting gods and goddesses gained popularity in the Middle Kingdom and seem to have induced the protective powers of the deity.

Horus was one of the most significant Ancient Egyptian deities. He is most commonly depicted with the head of a falcon, and the body of a man. Horus was a sun and moon deity, and it was said that his right eye was the sun, and the left was the moon. Here depicted with no headdress, Horus is shown striding with his left leg forward. Amulets of Horus were thought to grant the wearer protection in this world and the next.

To find out more about the Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.

Weight 0.89 g
Dimensions W 1 x H 1.4 cm
Culture

Egyptian Mythology

Faience

Region

Reference: For a similar item, please see The British Museum, item H1030

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