Egyptian Alabaster Heart Ib Amulet

£ 295.00

An Egyptian alabaster amulet carved into a heart, known as ‘Ib’ in Ancient Egypt. The body displays a long piriform shape which tapers to a rounded end and features two rectangular protrusions on either side. The top of the amulet features a rectangular, horizontal segment with a central protrusion. The body is enhanced with incised detailing of two crossed diagonal lines over the heart on either side, and at the base, a cross hatching design, beneath an incised curve. This amulet is not pierced and was most likely intended for use on the body. Minor earthy encrustations.

Date: Circa 664-332 BC
Period: Late Period
Provenance: Ex. Early 20th Century collection, UK
Condition: Very good. Minor earthy encrustations.

SOLD

SKU: KW-42 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 1.9 g
Dimensions L 2.1 x W 1.1 cm
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Stone

Region

Reference: For a similar item,The British Museum, item AN1896-1908-EA.696

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