Multiple Wedjat Scaraboid Amulet

$1,257.39

An Egyptian amulet, made from green faience, featuring multiple Eyes of Horus.  The amulet has been designed into a scaraboid shape, with four distinct wedjat symbols appearing to the obverse, in a rectangular formation. The pupils of the eye, situated at each corner, have been highlighted in black faience. The rest of the scaraboid has been decorated with incised linear patterning. The reverse of the amulet features a more elaborate Eye of Horus, carved in relief and inset on a sunken square panel. The sweeping curve of the eye’s eyebrow, tail and teardrop have also been included in relief. Thatched decoration has also been applied to the reverse. The amulet has been pierced horizontally for suspension.

Date: Circa 664 – 30 BC
Period: Late Period - Ptolemaic Period
Provenance: Provenance: Property of a South West London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; by descent 1986.
Condition: Excellent

SOLD

SKU: AH-685 Category: Tag:

This amulet combines both the protective qualities of the wedjat and the scarab. The eye of Horus, also known as ‘wedjat’, was an ancient symbol of protection, particularly for the afterlife, and was also used to deflect evil. For this reason, it was often worn or hung on the deceased at burial.

There are six key parts, relating to the senses, to the Eye of Horus and each has its own value: the eyebrow represents thought; the pupil stands for sight; the triangle between the pupil and the white of the eye is hearing, whereas the white of the eye is smell; the spiral curve, or tail, represents taste; and the teardrop is touch.

The scarab beetle was also an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the dessert mirrored the journey of the sun across the sky from day to night. As the beetle laid its eggs within the dung, it became a symbol of rebirth and regeneration associated with the afterlife.

Weight 6.3 g
Dimensions L 3.1 x W 3 cm
Country

Culture

Egyptian Mythology

Faience

,

Region

Reference: For similar, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, item 72.1105