Object Details
Label
The wedjat eye is a symbol of the falcon-headed god Horus, who gave the eye to his father Osiris and by doing so brought him back to life. In another story, the eye of Horus was injured and the time required for it to heal was likened to the cycle of the moon. The symbol may be translated as "the whole or restored one."
This type of amulet would have been used both during life and in the tomb as a symbol of protection during life and rebirth after death. The wedjat eye occurs as an amulet as early as the Old Kingdom in various materials and was often painted on objects such as Middle Kingdom coffins. But openwork faience wedjat eye rings like this one are limited to the New Kingdom (ca. 1539-1075 B.C.E.), primarily to Dynasties 18 and 19 (ca. 1539-1190 B.C.E.).
Provenance
To 1907
Unidentified owner, Egypt, to 1907 [1]
From 1907 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased in Egypt from an unidentified owner in 1907 [2]
From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
Notes:
[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 1875, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
[2] See note 1.
[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Charles Lang Freer and Egypt (June 13, 1998 to October 2, 2011)
Previous custodian or owner
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Date
ca. 1539-1190 BCE
Period
New Kingdom, Dynasty 18-19
Accession Number
F1907.388
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Jewelry and Ornament
Medium
Faience (glazed composition)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2.1 x 2.3 x 1.2 cm (13/16 x 7/8 x 1/2 in)
Origin
Egypt
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
faience
New Kingdom (ca. 1539 - 1075 BCE)
Dynasty 18 (ca. 1539 - 1295 BCE)
Dynasty 19 (ca. 1292 - 1190 BCE)
Egypt
Horus
Ancient Egyptian Art
Charles Lang Freer collection
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_F1907.388