Djed Pillar Amulet
Amulets were thought to magically transfer their power to the wearer. Such power often derived from their shape, material, color, and/or the recitations spoken over them. This amulet depicts the so-called djed pillar that ensured permanence. From the New Kingdom on it was also closely connected to Osiris, the god revived after death. Several djed pillar amulets were often placed on the chest of a mummy. Green and blue shades were popular colors for amulets as they alluded to water and vegetation, which in a desert country bore the power of life and regeneration.
Artwork Details
- Title: Djed Pillar Amulet
- Period: Third Intermediate Period–Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 1086–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Bright blue faience
- Dimensions: H. 3 × W. 1 cm (1 3/16 × 3/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
- Object Number: 30.8.331
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1070–664 B.C.
ca. 872–664 BCE
664–525 BCE
27 B.C.–A.D. 14
4th century B.C.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
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.