Hand Amulet, ca. 1332–1322 B.C.E. Carnelian, 1 3/16 x 1/16in. (3 x 0.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift in memory of Arthur W. Clement, 57.76.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.57.76.1_wwgA-3.jpg)
Hand Amulet, ca. 1332–1322 B.C.E. Carnelian, 1 3/16 x 1/16in. (3 x 0.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift in memory of Arthur W. Clement, 57.76.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.57.76.1_mummychamber.jpg)
Hand Amulet
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Funerary Gallery 2, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Living persons wore only one or a few amulets at a time, but mummies usually bear many amulets. The Ma’at amulet (no. 2) and heart scarabs (nos. 1, 3, 11), which occurred in many forms, guaranteed a successful judgment of the dead. The amulets of a hand (no. 8), lungs and a windpipe (no. 12), and wadjet-eyes (i.e., “healthy” eyes; no. 4) protected those parts of the body and also had connotations of resurrection and the unity or integrity of the mummy. The enigmatic aper amulet (no. 13) takes the form of the hieroglyph meaning “to be equipped,” perhaps in reference to the mummy’s preparation. The two crowns (nos. 5, 6) were symbols of power. The Heh insignia (no. 7), like the popular ankh-sign, denoted eternal life. Among the living, the frog (no. 9) and possibly also the hare (no. 10) suggested fertility. The amulets of the Four Sons of Horus (no. 15) perhaps served, as they did with canopic jars, to protect various organs of the body.
MEDIUM
Carnelian
DATES
ca. 1332–1322 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
late Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
1 3/16 x 1/16in. (3 x 0.1cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
57.76.1
CREDIT LINE
Anonymous gift in memory of Arthur W. Clement
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Funerary Gallery 2, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Hand Amulet, ca. 1332–1322 B.C.E. Carnelian, 1 3/16 x 1/16in. (3 x 0.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift in memory of Arthur W. Clement, 57.76.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.57.76.1_wwgA-3.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery A-3 installation, CUR.57.76.1_wwgA-3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2005
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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