A Vintage Gold Plated Horus Falcon Pectoral, MMA, 1976

This vintage gold-plated horus falcon pectoral was part of the 1976 Metropolitan Museum of Art's Treasures of Tutankhamun Exhibit. It has recently been strung as a necklace using blue and pink round turquoise beads, turquoise rondelle beads, and gold-plated spacers.

This pendant is an adaptation of a pectoral necklace belonging to Sit Hat-Hor Yunet, a 17th Dynasty Princess. It portrays two Horus falcons perched on a collar, symbolizing Horus' victory over Seth, the god of discord. Horus, was the god of the Sky, a symbol of divine Kingship, and protector of the ruling King. Every pharaoh was an incarnation of Horus, who, according to legend, conquered Seth, the evil god of Upper Egypt. Seth was the god of turmoil and confusion who murdered Osiris, Horus's father. Horus avenged his father's death and became the god of order and justice. Therefore the pharaoh in Ancient Egypt became Horus on earth, the ruler of the two lands (Upper and Lower Egypt). The name Horus also means the foresighted, where one eye represents the Sun and other represents the Moon. The Sun was Known as "Horakhty", or Horus in the Horizon., Horus was considered as the god of the east and the rising Sun. Horus has the Shape of a falcon or a hawk or can take a human shape with a falcon.

In honor of the Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition that traveled to seven American cities between 1976 and 1979, the Metropolitan Museum of Art commissioned 100 pieces of commemorative jewelry duplicated from King Tut's tomb. The Met sent eight staff members to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to cast replicas directly from the artifacts, making this pendant the most accurate reproduction ever created. 

Medium: Gold plate, turquoise, 

Dimensions: Pendant: 1 3/4 x 2 1/8 inches (1.9 x 5.4 cm). Necklace length: 16 1/2 inches (42 cm)

Condition: The pectoral is well maintained and in excellent vintage condition.  The turquoise beads are new.