About this artwork
Small-scale Egyptian figurines, known as amulets, were thought to promote health and good luck. Amulets were such an important part of Egyptian religious beliefs that they were worn by both the living and the dead. They could be mounted on rings or strung as bracelets or necklaces and were placed among the mummy wrappings to secure the deceased’s rebirth and well-being in the afterlife. Many varieties of amulets survive, including figures of deities, parts of the human (ordivine) body, animals, plants, and objects of daily life. The crowns of Northern and Southern Egypt are shown atop a half basket which is the hieroglyph for “all” or “lord.” Therefore, this amulet may express the wish that the deceased, as a form of Osiris, rule over all Egypt.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 50
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Department
- Arts of Africa
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Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
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Title
- Double Crown Amulet
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Place
- Egypt (Object made in)
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Date
- 305 BCE–30 BCE
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Medium
- Gold
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Dimensions
- 1.3 × 1 × 0.3 cm (1/2 × 3/8 × 1/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Henry H. Getty and Charles L. Hutchinson
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Reference Number
- 1894.961
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/140646/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.