Amulet
1075 BC-945 BC (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Amulets were meant to protect the owner from evil. This amulet takes the form of the Eye of Horus. Horus was one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology and was associated with the sky, and the sun in particular. His eye was a popular symbol of power and protection.
The turquoise glaze on this amulet was popular in the pre-Islamic Middle East. In Egypt, turquoise was associated with good fortune as the colour of the life-giving River Nile. Under Islam, the lucky associations of the blue-green colour persisted in an informal way.
The turquoise glaze on this amulet was popular in the pre-Islamic Middle East. In Egypt, turquoise was associated with good fortune as the colour of the life-giving River Nile. Under Islam, the lucky associations of the blue-green colour persisted in an informal way.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed composition with painted decoration |
| Brief description | Eye of Horus amulet, blue-green glazed composition with black decoration, Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, likely Dynasty Twenty-one |
| Physical description | Mouulded and pierced amulet in the form of the wedjat eye or Eye of Horus, in turquoise glazed composition. The eyebrow and pupil are painted black with manganese. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label | Jameel Gallery
1–2 Turquoise Glaze
Turquoise glaze, which was made by adding copper, was popular in the pre-Islamic Middle East. In Egypt, turquoise was associated with good fortune as the colour of the life-giving River Nile. For this reason, it was used on amulets, which were meant to protect the owner from evil. Under Islam, the lucky associations of the blue-green colour persisted in an informal way.
1 Eye of Horus Amulet
Egypt, 1075–945 BC
Moulded faience with coloured glaze
Museum no. 5486-1901
(Jameel Gallery) |
| Object history | Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street |
| Summary | Amulets were meant to protect the owner from evil. This amulet takes the form of the Eye of Horus. Horus was one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology and was associated with the sky, and the sun in particular. His eye was a popular symbol of power and protection. The turquoise glaze on this amulet was popular in the pre-Islamic Middle East. In Egypt, turquoise was associated with good fortune as the colour of the life-giving River Nile. Under Islam, the lucky associations of the blue-green colour persisted in an informal way. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 5486-1901 |
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| Record created | September 19, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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