<em>Amulet in the Form of Two Eyes</em>, ca. 1539–1075 B.C.E. Faience, 1/2 x 3/16 x 1 9/16 in. (1.2 x 0.4 x 4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 02.223. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.02.223_view1.jpg)

Amulet in the Form of Two Eyes, ca. 1539–1075 B.C.E. Faience, 1/2 x 3/16 x 1 9/16 in. (1.2 x 0.4 x 4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 02.223. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.02.223_view1.jpg)

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Amulet in the Form of Two Eyes

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ancient Egyptian mythology included a tale of the damaged and magically healed eye of Horus, or the so-called wedjat-eye. Following that myth, these two eyes symbolized health and physical well-being. They were thus meant to provide these benefits to the owner of the amulet. When used as a votive, the two eyes almost certainly represented the eyes of the deity to whom the offering was made in hope that the god would see and protect the patron.

MEDIUM Faience

Place Excavated: Thebes (Deir el-Bahri), Egypt

DATES ca. 1539–1075 B.C.E.

PERIOD New Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 1/2 x 3/16 x 1 9/16 in. (1.2 x 0.4 x 4 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 02.223

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Light blue faience eye-amulet in form of two eyes. Obverse and reverse flat with eyes painted in dark blue on obverse. Reverse plain. Pierced through lower center. Condition: Glaze slightly worn on obverse.

EXHIBITIONS

Body Parts: Ancient Egyptian Fragments and Amulets

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Amulet in the Form of Two Eyes, ca. 1539–1075 B.C.E. Faience, 1/2 x 3/16 x 1 9/16 in. (1.2 x 0.4 x 4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 02.223. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.02.223_view1.jpg)

IMAGE front, CUR.02.223_view1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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