Sow Amulet

Late Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 127

Sows are connected to the sky goddess Nut, who was thought to give birth to the stars each night and swallow them at dawn. Ancient Egyptians sometimes depicted her as a sow, based on the animal’s behavior to eat her own piglets. However, Nut was seen as a protective and motherly goddess. This small depiction of a sow features a loop at the top and was likely meant to protect its wearer.

Sow Amulet, Faience

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