An Egyptian Gold Amulet of a Horus Falcon, 18th Dynasty, ca 1352 - 1336 BCE

One of the most important gods of ancient Egypt, the worship of the ancient falcon-form sky god Horus spanned over 5,000 years. Of hollow form, this rare amulet portrays the god in left profile, wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. It was manufactured by cutting the form from sheet gold, defining the details using a mold, then attaching a flat back of sheet gold.

Horus was not only a god of the sky, whose right eye was the sun and the left the moon, but the embodiment of divine kingship and protector of the reigning pharaoh. Through the assimilation with other major gods (Sun god; son of Isis and Osiris), Horus appears in many forms with extensive mythology. One of the major aspects of Horus’ cult is his link with the kingship of Egypt; his name was incorporated into the pharaonic titulary (“Living Horus on Earth”). For this reason, Horus was represented wearing the tall Double crown symbolizing his kingship over all Egypt.

Condition: The amulet is intact and in excellent condition overall. It has been restrung as a pendant on an adjustable 18" modern chain of 18K yellow gold. Tiny and gorgeous.

Dimensions: Height: 1/2 inch (1.27 cm)

Provenance: Private Collection (A.A.), United States, acquired from the NYC art market, thereafter property from the collection of JRM, Washington, D.C.