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Thoth with Wadjet-eye

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The most common amulet is the eye of Horus, a human eye with the markings of a falcon's face. Mythology was central to ancient Egyptian magic, and this image is based on the myth of the destruction of one of the falcon-headed god Horus's eyes by the god Seth and its restoration to wholeness (wedja) by the god Thoth, a great magician, The wedjat-eye represented both wellbeing and the constantly renewed victory of the positive forces of the universe over evil or destructive forces.

MEDIUM Faience
  • Place Collected: Egypt
  • DATES 664–30 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 26, or later
    PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
    DIMENSIONS 1 5/8 x 3/4 x 7/8 in. (4.1 x 1.9 x 2.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 08.480.80
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Small blue-green faience figure of a seated cynocephalus ape holding before him a small wd3t-eye. Small base, no inscription, loop on back. Condition: In general good. Base chipped. Hands chipped. Fine workmanship.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Thoth with Wadjet-eye, 664–30 B.C.E. Faience, 1 5/8 x 3/4 x 7/8 in. (4.1 x 1.9 x 2.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 08.480.80_front_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 08.480.80_front_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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