Inlays, in the shape of deities, animals, body parts and generic figures, would have been used to decorate wooden shrines, in which statuettes of gods and goddesses were housed. Such wooden shrines would have been placed in temples, and would have appeared richly inlaid with figural, hieroglyphic, and decorative elements.
Horus was one of the most significant Ancient Egyptian deities. He is most commonly depicted with the head of a falcon, and the body of a man. 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. It was highly influential in Egyptian life, with ancient sailors painting the image on the bow of their vessels to ward off evil. There are six key parts 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.
