A small carnelian heart amulet with two protruding lugs on either side. Flat on the reverse, suspension loop at the top. Small amounts of bitumen deposits remaining from the embalming process within the suspension hole.
Egyptian Late New Kingdom period: Circa 1250-950 BC.
Very Fine condition complete and intact.
Height 19 mms (0.5 ins)
Provenance: From a private collection acquired by the previous owner's father in the 1950's
The Ancient Egyptians regarded the heart as the source of human intellect, memory, conscience, and passions. Believed to embody one's true character, the heart was weighed on the balance of the Court of the Underworld to ascertain if the owner was worthy of being reborn in the afterlife. Heart amulets were part of the amulet set of the deceased beginning in the New Kingdom. The meaning of such heart amulets may be that of a substitute for the real heart. Several spells from "The Book of the Dead" deal with the danger that could arise if the heart was taken away from a person, or damaged it was thought that such a separation could destroy his/her existence in the afterlife. Source: The Walters Art Museum.