Wedjat Eye Amulet

Third Intermediate Period–Late Period

ca. 1070–343 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130

Discovered with some later, intrusive burials with the early temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri (constructed around 1500 BCE), this was one of a group of loose amulets and strings of beads that was found inside a small woven thread basket that had in turn been placed in a larger basket.

This amulet is a wedjat, the eye of Horus that was injured in a battle with his uncle, the god Seth, and then restored by the god Thoth. It was considered an embodiment of the power of healing and a symbol of rebirth.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Wedjat Eye Amulet
Period: Third Intermediate Period–Late Period
Dynasty: Dynasty 21–30
Date: ca. 1070–343 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Middle Terrace, Late Dynastic intrusive burials, MMA excavations
Medium: Faience
Dimensions: H 2.8 × W 3 × D 1.5 cm (1 1/8 × 1 3/16 × 9/16 in.)
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1931
Object Number: 31.3.113a
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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