Ancient Egyptian Turquoise Faience Wedjat Amulet

£ 325.00

A fine Ancient Egyptian turquoise faience amulet depicting the wedjat eye, or Eye of Horus. The amulet features both human and falcon ocular imagery in its shape, and the details are enhanced with careful engraving. Short, diagonally hatched lines depict the brow, directly beneath which the eye is engraved with two incisions. The inner detailing the almond-shape and the outer leading into the cosmetic line. A large, round pupil is situated above the rounded, rectangular protrusion known as the cheek marking. A final incision curves from the edge of the eye to the back of the amulet and ends in a spiral. The amulet features a ridged suspension loop at the top, perforated longitudinally. The reverse is smooth and unworked. The colouration and engraving are both very well preserved.

Date: Circa 664-332 BC
Period: Late Period
Condition: Very fine. Some hairline scratches to the surface.

SOLD

SKU: KW-101 Category: Tags: ,

The wedjat, as the Eye of Horus, is one of the most popular amulets of ancient Egypt. The amulet combines elements of both human and falcon ocular imagery, as Horus was often depicted as a falcon. Its name comes from the ancient Egyptian ‘wḏꜣt’, meaning “the one that is complete”. The wedjat was highly apotropaic and associated with a number of Egyptian myths. The eye depicted could be either left or right, representing different imagery. Horus’ left eye was the sun and the right eye was considered the moon. In one creation myth, Horus’ eye was injured or stolen by the god Seth and then restored by Thoth. Hence the wedjat eye was thought to possess healing powers and symbolise regeneration. This healing and regenerative association is further enhanced by the properties of the lunar eye of Horus. As it waxes and wanes like the moon, it is thought to bring health and safety to its wearer. In another myth, Horus presents his healed eye to his father Osiris, to help him pass safely into his afterlife. Hence wedjat eye amulets were commonly placed within mummy wrappings to help the dead pass safely into the afterlife.

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

Weight 2.19 g
Dimensions L 2.3 x W 0.4 x H 1.9 cm
Culture

Region

Egyptian Mythology

Faience

Reference: For a similar item,The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 89.2.415

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