Gold was a very important commodity to the ancient Egyptians. It was found in various locations between the Nile valley and the Red Sea, although the three most popular regions were Coptos, Wawat and Kush. From the 1st dynasty, goldsmiths were creating simple beads of gold foil. Their skills progressed over the next few centuries until they were creating elaborate beads, inlays, amulets and other jewellery products. The skills of such craftsmen were known throughout the ancient world and Egyptian gold was a commodity that was highly sought after.
Gold was associated with immortality and the gods. The skin of the gods was made from gold it was believed, with silver forming their bones. The brilliant reflectivity of gold especially linked it to Ra and the sun. This connection thus meant it was a commodity used especially for kings and was linked irrevocably to the pharaoh.The hieroglyph for gold ‘nbw’ was used in the pharaoh’s five titulars in the “Golden Horus” name, or Ḥr nbw. This was a significant title, represented by a falcon (Horus) perched on the hieroglyph for gold (nbw). It signifyed the pharaoh’s divine and eternal nature and the king’s association with everlasting divinity.
To discover more about Egyptian amulets, please visit our relevant blog post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
Reference: For a similar amulet: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, item 24.1015
