Necklace with a double-lion amulet

Third Intermediate Period

ca. 1000–945 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 126

Henettawy was found with jewelry that may have been created specifically for her burial. Three strings were tied around her neck, including this cord of two-ply linen embellished with twenty-four knots along its length. Strung on the front is an amulet of pressed gold that represents two lions arranged back-to-back. These are probably to be identified as the guardian of the horizons, Ruti (also known as Aker). There are twelve knots on each side of the amulet, connecting the necklace to the twelve hours of the day and night and hence to the daily journey of the sun through the sky and the netherworld. This link to the solar cycle, and to the daily rebirth of the sun at dawn, would have been meant to help ensure Henettawy's resurrection.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Necklace with a double-lion amulet
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Dynasty: late Dynasty 21
Date: ca. 1000–945 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Henettawy F (MMA 59), MMA excavations, 1923–24
Medium: Linen, gold
Dimensions: Cord: Diam. ca. 10 cm (3 15/16 in.); amulet: L. 2.3 × H. 0.8 cm (7/8 × 5/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
Object Number: 25.3.189a
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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