Egyptian Black Hardstone Heart Ib Amulet

£ 375.00

A fine Ancient Egyptian black hardstone amulet carved in the shape of a heart, known as ‘Ib’ in Egyptian. The amulet features the typical jug shape of an elongated piriform body, tapering to a rounded base, and two triangular lugs protruding from either side. The amulet narrows at the neck beneath a finely carved rectangular terminal. A wide, rounded ridge features at the top, adorned with three neat grooves. This amulet is unperforated, implying it was intended for use on the body during mummification. Minor wear and earthy encrustations feature to the surface, consistent with the piece’s age.

Date: Circa 664-332 BC
Period: Late Period
Condition: Very good. Minor wear and earthy encrustations to the surface.

In stock

SKU: KW-170 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, both living and deceased. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife.

In Egyptian culture and mythology, the heart was perceived as the most important organ, the seat of intelligence that decided all feelings and actions, housing all the memories of a person. It was believed that the heart was weighed in the afterlife against a feather representing ma’at, an Egyptian concept of truth and justice, at the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony. If their heart weighed the same or less, they were worthy enough to proceed onto the afterlife, but if it weighed more, they were destroyed. These heart amulets would have been worn as protection for the beholder’s in death, used exclusively for mummies, to ensure a positive judgement. The amulet became so important that it was bestowed on every mummy until the end of the Pharaonic Period.

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

Weight 3.74 g
Dimensions L 1.4 x W 0.8 x H 2.2 cm
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Stone

Region

Reference: For a similar item,The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 10.130.1796

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