Some Remarkable Amulets in Ancient Egyptian Art

Abstract

to provide him with special characteristics, such as health, strength or fierceness. Amulets were often in the shape of animals, plants, sacred objects, or hieroglyphic symbols, natural or manmade objects, the commonest of all is faience. The power and effectiveness of a natural amulet might derive from its shape, its material, its color, and its scarcity, or any combination of these properties. Amulets were made of different kinds of stone like lapis lazuli, carnelian, red or green jasper, hematite, steatite, beryl, serpentine, gold and limestone. Manmade amulets include pendants in the form of deities, demons, animals, plants, parts of the human body, furniture, tools and ritual objects. Some of these amulets are simply miniature models of things which the deceased needed or desired in the afterlife. A distinction is sometimes made between amulets and talismans; the purpose of an amulet is to protect, while the purpose of a talisman is to enhance a quality in the wearer or to promote success. The potency of amulets was recognized in the religious ceremonies and rituals especially those relating to funerary and mortuary rites. Several spells in the Book of the Dead were intended to be spoken over specific amulets, which were then placed in particular places on the body of the deceased.