Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet

LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.

1/2 in. (0.42 grams, 12 mm).

Formed as a fly with long triangular wings and domed eyes.

Provenance

From an early 20th century collection.

Literature

Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, pp.62-3.

Footnotes

Fly amulets first appeared in burials as early as c. 3200 B.C., but their popularity expanded during the New Kingdom. They were made from various materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. They may also have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.

CONDITION

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LOT 0462