<em>Amulet in the Form of a Ba as Human-Headed Bird</em>, 305–30 B.C.E. Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, steatite, 1 1/4 × 2 3/4 × 1/2 in. (3.2 × 7 × 1.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.804E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.804E.jpg)

Amulet in the Form of a Ba as Human-Headed Bird, 305–30 B.C.E. Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, steatite, 1 1/4 × 2 3/4 × 1/2 in. (3.2 × 7 × 1.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.804E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.804E.jpg)

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What kind of wings are these and what do they symbolize?

These wings are based on that of a larger predatory bird, likely a vulture or a falcon. This particular object represents a person's ba, part of their soul. The small gold head is meant the be that of the person.

The vulture, in ancient Egypt was associated with protection, especially maternal protection and several goddesses. The falcon was associated with several prominent gods, like Horus and Re.

Amulet in the Form of a Ba as Human-Headed Bird

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ba is the Egyptian concept closest to what is meant by the English word "soul." Its composite human-and-bird form symbolizes its ability to travel to different realms. This extremely fine amulet may date to the Ptolemaic Period, but various types of gold amulets inlaid with colored stones are known from burials of Dynasties XXVI through XXX (orca 664–342 B.C.)

MEDIUM Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, steatite

Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt

DATES 305–30 B.C.E.

PERIOD Ptolemaic Period (possibly)

DIMENSIONS 1 1/4 × 2 3/4 × 1/2 in. (3.2 × 7 × 1.3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.804E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold amulet with a cloissone inlay of lapis lazuli, turquoise, and steatite representing a soul in the form of a human-headed bird. Viewed from below the piece displays a human head and bird’s body modelled in the round in gold. This body is attached to outstretched wings made of a sheet of gold. Attached to each wing is an eyelet made of a strip of gold. The lower part of the underside of the tail has an inlay pattern representing five feathers (lapis-turquoise-steatite-turquoise-lapis). Seen from above the sheet of gold is inlayed to represent a feather pattern which is broken up into areas of dark and light blue (lapis and turquoise) with a brown curving strip across the shoulder. Condition: One end of one of the eyelets loose; one steatite inlay missing.

EXHIBITIONS

Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Amulet in the Form of a Ba as Human-Headed Bird, 305–30 B.C.E. Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise, steatite, 1 1/4 × 2 3/4 × 1/2 in. (3.2 × 7 × 1.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.804E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.804E.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.804E.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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

What kind of wings are these and what do they symbolize?

The vulture, in ancient Egypt was associated with protection, especially maternal protection and several goddesses. The falcon was associated with several prominent gods, like Horus and Re.