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.
Snakes were a sign of power to the Ancient Egyptians, along with the cobra, it was a popular amulet. The cobra was associated with the Lower Egyptian goddess, Wadjet. She was an important deity and was associated with royalty and kingship. The rearing cobra, with its hood extended, was known as the Uraeus and was worn by the pharaoh, often together with the vulture goddess Nehkbet. The two goddesses were so deeply imbedded in the concept of divinity, that the pharaoh’s second name was known as the Two Ladies, to represent the two goddesses. Amulets in the form of a snake’s head, like this fine example, were worn to ward off snakebites.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
