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Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Amulet in the Form of a Ba as Human-Headed Bird

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

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 and steatite
Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
Dates: 664 B.C.E. or later
Dynasty: XXVI Dynasty or later
Period: Late Period or Ptolemaic Period
Dimensions: 1 1/4 x 2 11/16 x 3/8in. (3.1 x 6.8 x 0.9cm)
Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Accession Number: 37.804E
Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Image: Overall, 37.804E_negE_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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JuliaWM (7)
- bird
- wingspan
- gold
- blue
- aqua
- Amulet
- Human Headed Bird
sarah (2)
- gri
- grigri
ninakuriloff (3)
- amulet
- Ba
- Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise and steatite
ALeonardoMiller (5)
- Inlaid
- Egyptian
- bird
- human
- head
Amelia (3)
- wings
- feathers
- gold
z (7)
- wingspan
- stones
- native
- turquoise
- indigo
- feather
- bird

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