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 and form. The symbolism related to the fly is uncertain, however ancient Egyptians wore fly-shaped amulets as a protection symbol against disease and misfortune. During the New Kingdom, a fly-shaped pendant called the Golden Fly (also known as the golden Fly of Valor or The Order of the golden Fly) was honoured by the pharaoh to Egyptian military for persistence and valour in battles.
In ancient Egypt, amulets were made of a wide range of materials including faience, hardstone, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, jasper and metal. Amongst them, silver was considered the most precious for its rarity. Much of the metal during the time was imported from western Asia, and items of silver were valued higher than those of gold until the New Kingdom.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
