Hematite Wadj Amulet

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

Material: Hematite

Dimensions: 4.1 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1272

Provenance: Collection Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir, acquired on 15 May 1930 from Salahaddin Sirmali in Cairo and then brought to the USA.

Condition: Of excellent quality.

Description: Hematite amulet in form of a papyrus sceptre. The head is flat with blossom-shaped incision. At the lower end a tapering leaf decoration with remains of white color. On the side of the head a broad band handle. The papyrus stem stands for the word wadj – "to be green, to be young”. The holder of the amulet therefore hopes for everlasting youth. The wadj amulet counts besides the udjat eye and djed pillar as one of the most common mummy amulets and was mostly placed in multiple designs on the mummy. The first known wadj amulet originates from Tutankhamun’s funerary treasures. As soon as it was not exclusively reserved for royal families or priests it became one of the most popular amulets, which was used until the Roman period. Rare form.