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Details
LOT 0472
Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
5/8 in. (1.07 grams, 16 mm).
D-shaped in section with two triangular wings and robbed body with pellet eyes. [No Reserve]
Provenance
From an early 20th century collection.
Literature
Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, pp.62-3.
Footnotes
Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom. They are crafted from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.
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