<em>Wadjet-eye Ring</em>, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E. Faience, 3/8 x Diam. 9/16 in. (0.9 x 1.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6050. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.34.6050_erg456.jpg)

Wadjet-eye Ring, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E. Faience, 3/8 x Diam. 9/16 in. (0.9 x 1.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6050. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.34.6050_erg456.jpg)

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Why is there an eyeball on jewelry?

That is what is known as a Wedjat-eye, which is worn as a protective symbol. Also sometimes referred to the Eye of Horus, they are symbols of the restoration of wholeness.

Wadjet-eye Ring

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

Rings

The earliest Egyptian rings were purely decorative, but later rings came to carry significance.

By the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom, they were frequently inscribed with the name of a god, a king, or the owner. The most popular type was made of faience and bore the name of the reigning monarch. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of these simple, mold-made rings; they were probably distributed as mementos at religious or state celebrations. Other rings feature protective symbols, including the wedjat-eye. Wealthy members of Eighteenth Dynasty society often wore rings made of inlaid glass or semiprecious stones.

MEDIUM Faience

Place Excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt

DATES ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom, Amarna Period

DIMENSIONS 3/8 x Diam. 9/16 in. (0.9 x 1.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 34.6050

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Wadjet-eye Ring, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E. Faience, 3/8 x Diam. 9/16 in. (0.9 x 1.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6050. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.34.6050_erg456.jpg)

IMAGE in situ, CUR.34.6050_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Why is there an eyeball on jewelry?

That is what is known as a Wedjat-eye, which is worn as a protective symbol. Also sometimes referred to the Eye of Horus, they are symbols of the restoration of wholeness.