Bracelet with 4 wedjat eyes, 2 barrel beads, and 1 acacia bead

Third Intermediate Period
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 126
One of five bracelets found around the right wrist of Henettawy’s mummy, this is a single strand of thin cord. Strung at intervals along the strand were four wedjat eye amulets, three of faience and one of gold; one gold and one amethyst barrel bead; and one gold acacia bead. The cord was broken, so the original order of the beads and amulets is uncertain. However, there do appear to be a total of sixteen knots, which would bring the number of elements to twenty-four, echoing the number seen in some of Henettawy’s other jewelry. This in turn may be meant to evoke the daily solar cycle and help ensure her rebirth. The wedjat eyes represent the healed eye of the falcon-god Horus, a powerful symbol of protection and regeneration.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bracelet with 4 wedjat eyes, 2 barrel beads, and 1 acacia bead
  • 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, faience, gold, amethyst
  • Dimensions: Diam. ca. 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.3.190e
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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