Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
Ancient Egypt · c. 3100 BCE – 400 CE

Gods & goddesses

Meaning

Each deity amulet carries that god's particular power. Isis nursing Horus stands for motherhood and magic, Thoth for wisdom and healing, Anubis for the protection of the dead, Sekhmet for the fierce power to repel plague, Bastet for home and fertility, Hathor for love and joy, Ptah-Pataikos for crafts and protection against dangerous animals, and the Four Sons of Horus for guarding the internal organs.

Intent

The wearer placed themselves under the protection of the god shown, or took on something of its power. The living wore them for health, childbirth and safe travel. The dead received them in the wrappings as helpers and guardians in the afterlife, sometimes in a prescribed order.

Significance

They amount to a pocket pantheon, a portable map of Egyptian belief that shows which gods ordinary people actually turned to. The rise of Isis, Harpocrates and Bastet amulets in the Late Period tracks the growth of popular devotion that later carried Isis's cult across the Roman Empire.

History

Deity amulets are rare before the New Kingdom and flourish from the Third Intermediate Period onward, reaching huge numbers in the Late and Ptolemaic periods. Moulds for them are found at workshop sites such as Naukratis and Memphis. Isis and Harpocrates figures continued to be made in Roman Egypt into the 3rd century CE.

Making yours
2–8 cm striding or seated figures with a back-pillar and a loop behind the head. Faience from open-face moulds, lapis, gold sheet or cast bronze.
Ancient Egypt: the tradition

Amulets appear in Egyptian graves before writing, in the Badarian and Naqada cultures of the fifth and fourth millennia BCE, as shells, stones and simple animal shapes. With the Old Kingdom the repertoire grew into a systematic vocabulary of hieroglyph signs, gods and animals, and by the New Kingdom the Book of the Dead prescribed which amulet went where on the mummy. Mass production in faience from open moulds put them within reach of almost everyone. The Late and Ptolemaic periods (664–30 BCE) are the peak of variety, when a single mummy might carry dozens. The tradition outlived the pharaohs, feeding Graeco-Roman magical gems, Coptic Christianity and, through Phoenician traders, the whole Mediterranean. Flinders Petrie's 1914 catalogue counted 275 types.

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Amulet of NefertemAmulet of NefertemEgypt, Late period (715–332 BCE), Dynasties 27–30 · 525–343 BCENefertem AmuletNefertem AmuletSyro-Phoenicia, Lebanon · c. 500 BCEAmulet of PataikosAmulet of PataikosEgypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), Ptolemaic dynasty (305–30 BCE) · 305–30 BCEAmulet of MutAmulet of MutEgypt, Third Intermediate (1069–715 BCE) · 1069–715 BCEAmulet of SekhmetAmulet of SekhmetEgypt · Third Intermediate Period (about 1069–664 BCE)Pataikos amulet, green glazed composition, Egypt, Late or Ptolemaic PeriodPataikos amulet, green glazed composition, Egypt, Late or Ptolemaic PeriodEgypt · 664 BC - 30 BCAmulet of a rearing cobra with a Hathor-emblem headAmulet of a rearing cobra with a Hathor-emblem headEgypt · Third Intermediate Period–Late Period, ca. 1080–332 BCEAmulett med gudinnen Sekhmet [Statuett]Amulett med gudinnen Sekhmet [Statuett]EgyptCat amuletCat amuletEgyptian third intermediate period · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –664 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period or later DynaAmulet-pendant, Squatting Figure of Falcon Headed God.Amulet-pendant, Squatting Figure of Falcon Headed God.Egyptian New Kingdom · between 1550 and 1069 BC date QS:P571,-1500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1069-00-00T00:00:00Z/Amulet of Pataikos on CrocodilesAmulet of Pataikos on CrocodilesGreco-Roman Egypt · late 4th-early 3rd century BC (early Greco-Roman)Cat with KittensCat with KittensEgyptian late period · between 664 and 332 BC (Late Period)Goddess and Ramesses IIGoddess and Ramesses IIEgyptian 19th dynasty · between circa 1279 and circa 1212 BC date QS:P571,-1250-00-00T00:00:00Z/7,P1319,-1279-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1212-00-0Heads of HathorHeads of HathorRoman Egypt · 5 th century date QS:P571,+450-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Hathor head amuletHathor head amuletEgyptian 26th dynasty · circa 1550 date QS:P571,+1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –525 B.C. Period: New Kingdom–Late Period Dynasty: DynastSkarabé amulet from EgyptSkarabé amulet from EgyptEgypt · 1928Amulet depicting the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffiguraAmulet depicting the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurabetween 1076 and 722 BC Third Intermediate Period of Egypt (1069 BC date QS:P,-1069-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 –664 BC date QS:P,Amulet of the God PataikosAmulet of the God Pataikos664–332 B.C. Period: Late Period Dynasty: Dynasty 26Anubis head amuletAnubis head amuletEgyptian first intermediate period · circa 2110 date QS:P571,+2110-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –2030 B.C. Period: Old Kingdom–First Intermediate Period Heh amulet with the Name of Amenhotep IIIHeh amulet with the Name of Amenhotep IIIEgyptian 18th dynasty · circa 1390 date QS:P571,+1390-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1352 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign:Shu AmuletShu AmuletPalace of Amenhotep III · circa 1390 date QS:P571,+1390-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1353 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign:Anubis amulet label QS:Len,"Anubis amulet" label QS:Lpt,"Amuleto em forma de Anúbis"Anubis amulet label QS:Len,"Anubis amulet" label QS:Lpt,"Amuleto em forma de Anúbis"Egyptian 25th dynasty · between 712 and 525 BCLion Amulet, Perforated Lengthwise, Inscribed with the Name of Senwosret I and the Epithet "Beloved by the Souls [Ancient Rulers or Gods] of Heliopolis"Lion Amulet, Perforated Lengthwise, Inscribed with the Name of Senwosret I and the Epithet "Beloved by the Souls [Ancient Rulers or Gods] of Heliopolis"Egyptian 12th dynasty · circa 1961 date QS:P571,+1961-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1917 B.C. Period: Middle Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 12 ReiViscera figure with human head (Imsety)Viscera figure with human head (Imsety)Egyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1000 date QS:P571,+1000-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaCollier avec perles et amulettesCollier avec perles et amulettesBelgiumAmulett in Form eines HathorkopfsAmulett in Form eines HathorkopfsP 47.02 (Amarna)Amulett in Form eines HathorkopfsAmulett in Form eines HathorkopfsP 47.01 (Amarna)Jewellery amulet from EgyptJewellery amulet from EgyptEgyptAMULETT - ISISAMULETT - ISISEgyptamulet ; godamulet ; godEgyptSekhmet, jewellery amulet from SudanSekhmet, jewellery amulet from SudanSudanAmulet of a Goddess Tutankhamun 2019Amulet of a Goddess Tutankhamun 2019TutankhamunEgyptian Triad Amulets depicting Horus, Isis and Nephthys, Birmingham Museum and Art GalleryEgyptian Triad Amulets depicting Horus, Isis and Nephthys, Birmingham Museum and Art GalleryartAquarellePhylactereMagiqueAquarellePhylactereMagiqueEgyptM0015212: Marble votive plaque with relief bust, possibly Serapis, a Greco-Egyptian deity, 1st-3rd century A.D.M0015212: Marble votive plaque with relief bust, possibly Serapis, a Greco-Egyptian deity, 1st-3rd century A.D.Terzo periodo intermedio-epoca tarda, amuleti della dea maat, lapislazzuli (fi, museo egizio)Terzo periodo intermedio-epoca tarda, amuleti della dea maat, lapislazzuli (fi, museo egizio)Amulet of AnubisAmulet of AnubisEgypt, Late period (715–332 BCE), Dynasties 27–31 · 525–332 BCEAmulet of IsisAmulet of IsisEgypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), Roman empire (30 BCE–395 CE) · 100 BCE–100 CEAmulet of BastetAmulet of BastetEgypt, Third Intermediate (1069–715 BCE) · c. 1069–715 BCEAmulet of SekhmetAmulet of SekhmetEgypt · Third Intermediate Period (about 1069–664 BCE)Pataikos amulet, blue-green glazed composition, Egypt, Late or Ptolemaic PeriodPataikos amulet, blue-green glazed composition, Egypt, Late or Ptolemaic PeriodEgypt · c. 664 BC - 30 BCAmulett, gudinnen Sekhmet [Del av gjenstand]Amulett, gudinnen Sekhmet [Del av gjenstand]EgyptCat with kittens amuletCat with kittens amuletEgyptian third intermediate period · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –664 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period or laterIsis nursing HorusIsis nursing HorusEgyptian New Kingdom · between 1550 and 1069 BC date QS:P571,-1500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1069-00-00T00:00:00Z/Anubis PantisticAnubis PantisticGreco-Roman Egypt · 3rd -1st century BC (Greco-Roman)Figure of Duamutef, Son of HorusFigure of Duamutef, Son of HorusEgyptian late period · 1st half 4th century BC (Late Period)Amulets. Sekhmet on the throne of the decans and a decan-MBA Lyon G 39, G122Amulets. Sekhmet on the throne of the decans and a decan-MBA Lyon G 39, G122Egyptian 19th dynastySakhmet AmuletSakhmet AmuletEgyptian 26th dynasty · 664–525 B.C.Amulet depicting the gods Isis, Horus and Nephthys title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the gods Isis, Horus and Nephthys " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the gods Isis, Horus and Nephthys " label QS:LAmulet depicting the gods Isis, Horus and Nephthys title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the gods Isis, Horus and Nephthys " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the gods Isis, Horus and Nephthys " label QS:Lbetween 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatHathor Head AmuletHathor Head Amulet664–332 B.C. Period: Late Period Dynasty: Dynasty 26–29Thoth amuletThoth amuletEgyptian first intermediate period · circa 2110 date QS:P571,+2110-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –2030 B.C. Period: Old Kingdom–First Intermediate Period Heh amulet with the Name of Amenhotep IIIHeh amulet with the Name of Amenhotep IIIEgyptian 18th dynasty · circa 1390 date QS:P571,+1390-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1352 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign:Amulet: Hathor HeadAmulet: Hathor HeadPalace of Amenhotep III · circa 1390 date QS:P571,+1390-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1353 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign:Bat Amulet of HapiankhtifiBat Amulet of HapiankhtifiEgyptian 12th dynasty · circa 1981 date QS:P571,+1981-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1802 B.C. Period: Middle Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 12Amulette de Bastet provenant du tombeau d'Oundjebaoundjed (la Villette, 2023)Amulette de Bastet provenant du tombeau d'Oundjebaoundjed (la Villette, 2023)Egyptian 21st dynastyCollier avec perles et amulettesCollier avec perles et amulettesBelgiumAmulett in Gestalt des Gottes AnubisAmulett in Gestalt des Gottes AnubisP 47.02 (Amarna)Amulet in the shape of a hathoric headAmulet in the shape of a hathoric headP 47.01 (Amarna)Ibis, maat, jewellery amulet from EgyptIbis, maat, jewellery amulet from EgyptEgyptAMULETT - ANUBISAMULETT - ANUBISEgypt

More from Ancient Egypt: Scarabs & scaraboids · Heart scarabs & heart amulets · Wedjat eye (Eye of Horus) · Djed, tyet, ankh & hieroglyph signs · Funerary tool & body amulets · Bes & Taweret, guardians of the household · Sacred animals · Hands, fists & faces · Cippi of Horus (healing stelae) · Apotropaic wands (birth tusks) · Hypocephali & amulet sets · Other & unsorted Ancient Egypt
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Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.