Gratefully built with ACNLPatternTool
Second Intermediate Period–Early New Kingdom
Examples of amulets shaped like a fly are known from Predynastic graves (ca. 3600 B.C.). It remains unclear why the fly possessed an amuletic purpose; possible explanations for its depiction include both its fecundity and the need to rid oneself of this common pest.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item
Title: Design Amulet in the Shape of a Fly
Period: Second Intermediate Period–Early New Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 13–18
Date: ca. 1550–1425 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Carnarvon/Carter excavations, 1907–11
Medium: Steatite (glazed)
Dimensions: L. 1.4 cm (9/16 in); w. 1 cm (3/8 in); h. 0.7 cm (1/4 in)
Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
Accession Number: 26.7.644
The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.
The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.
