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Egyptian Artifacts

Ivory Amulet of Thoth

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of my favorite ancient Egyptian artifacts because I really love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things! It’s incredible how much artistry and detail can be seen even in the smallest π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© of objects! To the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were significant because they were seen as being powerful magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ in miniature form!Β 

Ivory Amulet of Thoth
Ivory Amulet of Thoth at the Brooklyn Museum.

During the 18th Dynasty, the use of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ both by the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ and the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was becoming more and more popular. The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ used by the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 were wrapped within the linen 𓍱 bandages that wrapped mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ, and these amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ helped the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ like this ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† of the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 that is pictured 𓏏𓅱𓏏, was worn by a living person 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ. Sometimes people wore amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ like this one to proclaim their devotion to a specific god π“ŠΉ. Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is represented here as a man with the head of an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀, which was a very popular way to see him depicted in Egyptian art. 

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 were also popular to be wrapped within mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 bandages, most likely due to Thoth’s 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 role in the Weighing of the Heart. 

My Nonno loved amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ too, and he would always tell me to look out for the intact cord loop. I love how the loop is still intact on this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† – it makes me think of my Nonno!Β Whenever I see amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, I always make sure to look for it!

Ivory Amulet of Thoth
The Ivory Amulet of Thoth at the Brooklyn Museum. If you look closely behind his head, you can see the intact cord loop!

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