Large Ancient Egyptian Turquoise Faience Wedjat Amulet
£ 650.00
A large Ancient Egyptian turquoise-blue faience amulet of the Eye of Horus. The shape is clean cut and slopes to form the traditional silhouette of the wedjat, which features both human and falcon ocular imagery. The obverse is enhanced with protruding details of the brow and large pupil in black faience. The reverse is flat and unadorned. The vivid turquoise glaze has survived well except for a small lightened patch near the base. The amulet features a horizontal perforation for suspension.
Date: Circa 1070-332 BC Period: Third Intermediate Period to Late Period Condition: Very good. Some erosion to the glaze near the base. The perforation suspension is relatively unobstructed.
The Eye of Horus, also knowns as Wedjat, is one of the most recognizable and powerful symbols from Ancient Egypt, depicting a combination of a human and a falcon eye, since the god Horus was associated with a falcon. It was believed to have healing and protective power and was used as a protective amulet. Amulets in this shape were very popular in ancient Egypt for thousands of years, from the Old Kingdom to Roman times. They were worn by the living and also buried with the dead, as their apotropaic significance suited both.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.