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Amulet in the Form of a Heart

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Gold was associated with various ideas concerning divinity and immortality because it symbolized light and does not corrode. These amulets are similar to ones excavated in Twenty-sixth Dynasty tombs at Saqqara, one of the cemeteries of the northern Egyptian capital of Memphis. They belonged to individuals sufficiently prosperous to have their mummies adorned with such magically protective gold devices.

MEDIUM Sheet gold
DATES ca. 664–30 B.C.E.
PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
DIMENSIONS 13/16 x 5/8 in. (2.1 x 1.6 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 08.480.212
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Amulet in the form of a heart cut from sheet gold. Edges left as cut after impression in die. No chased details. Rough work. Pierced at top center for attachment. Condition: Intact.
CAPTION Amulet in the Form of a Heart, ca. 664–30 B.C.E. Sheet gold, 13/16 x 5/8 in. (2.1 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.212. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.212_wwg8.jpg)
IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.08.480.212_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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