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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Museum Pieces - Wedjat Eye Amulet

(Photocredit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
The wedjat eye is perhaps the best known of all Egyptian protective amulets. The drop and spiral below the eye imitate the markings on a lanner falcon, the bird associated with the god Horus. The name wedjat means 'the sound one', referring to the lunar left eye of Horus that was plucked out by his rival Seth during their conflict over the throne. The restoration of the eye is variously attributed to Thoth, Hathor or Isis. The injury to the eye and its subsequent healing were believed to be reflected in the waxing and waning of the moon.

 The first use of the wedjat eye as an amulet was when Horus offered it to Osiris. It was so powerful that it restored him to life. The regenerative and protective powers of the amulet meant that it was placed among the wrappings of mummies in great numbers. It could even replace food offerings in rituals. It first appeared in the late Old Kingdom and was used until mummification was no longer practised, in the Roman Period (30 BC - AD 395)

 Amulets were made from many different materials, but blue or green faience was the most common, as these colours symbolized regeneration to the ancient Egyptian. The wedjat eye was also worn by the living. Faience factories have been found at Tell el-Amarna, where rings with wedjat eye bezels were very popular among the inhabitants.

 C.A.R. Andrews, Amulets of Ancient Egypt (London, The British Museum Press, 1994)

Period: 
Third Intermediate Period 

 Date: 
ca. 1070–664 B.C. 

 Geography: 
Country of Origin Egypt 

 Medium: 
Faience, aragonite 

 Dimensions: 
5 x 6 cm (1 15/16 x 2 3/8 in.) 

 Credit Line: 
Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926 

 Accession Number: 
26.7.1032

 Sources: http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/561047?rpp=20&pg=2&ao=on&ft=ancient+egypt&pos=21

 https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/f/faience_wedjat_eye_amulet.aspx
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3 comments:

  1. Son_of_SekhmetFebruary 11, 2014 at 10:36 PM

    No defence but this is the right eye of Horus, the Solar side. I prefer to say Udjat instead of Wedjat, the cobra goddess of Lower Egypt / Buto. Horus offered the left eye also to Osiris to restore his father's dead body. But back to the item it's an unique piece with the lion and the cobras placed under the eye.

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    Replies
    1. DennisFebruary 12, 2014 at 10:39 AM

      You are right of course Son_of_Sekhmet! It is the right eye. Thanks for your feedback and insights. Always appreciate it!!

      Delete
  2. Eye of OsirisMay 6, 2023 at 7:33 PM

    The Wedjat Eye, also known as the Eye of Horus, was a popular amulet in ancient Egypt. It was believed to have protective and healing powers, and was worn by both the living and the dead.

    The amulet was often made of various materials, including gold, silver, and bronze. It was also made of precious stones such as lapis lazuli, carnelian, and turquoise.

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