Ancient Egypt, Late Period Carnelian Heart Amulet






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Ancient Egyptian Late Period heart amulet (ib), carved in carnelian and shaped as a heart with a lid and side lug handles, circa 664–332 BC, measuring 2.1 cm by 1.5 cm and in good condition with provenance from a private collection and an early 20th‑century U.K. collection.
Description from the seller
An Ancient Egyptian carnelian amulet, finely carved in the shape of a heart, known as ‘ib’ in Egyptian hieroglyphs. Taking the form of a jar, the amulet features a rounded triangular body, slightly convex in profile. Two small lug handles protrude from either side. To the top, is a rectangular lid surmounted by a tubular knob, pierced horizontally for suspension. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor scratches and earthly encrustations.
In Egyptian culture and mythology, the heart was perceived as the most important organ, the seat of intelligence that decided all feelings and actions, housing all the memories of a person. It was believed that the heart was weighed in the afterlife against a feather representing ma’at, an Egyptian concept of truth and justice, at the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony. If their heart weighed the same or less, they were worthy enough to proceed onto the afterlife, but if it weighed more, they were destroyed. These heart amulets would have been worn as protection for the beholder’s in death, used exclusively for mummies, to ensure a positive judgement. The amulet became so important that it was bestowed on every mummy until the end of the Pharaonic Period.
Measurements: (circa) L 2.1cm x W 1.5cm
Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection
Seller's Story
An Ancient Egyptian carnelian amulet, finely carved in the shape of a heart, known as ‘ib’ in Egyptian hieroglyphs. Taking the form of a jar, the amulet features a rounded triangular body, slightly convex in profile. Two small lug handles protrude from either side. To the top, is a rectangular lid surmounted by a tubular knob, pierced horizontally for suspension. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor scratches and earthly encrustations.
In Egyptian culture and mythology, the heart was perceived as the most important organ, the seat of intelligence that decided all feelings and actions, housing all the memories of a person. It was believed that the heart was weighed in the afterlife against a feather representing ma’at, an Egyptian concept of truth and justice, at the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony. If their heart weighed the same or less, they were worthy enough to proceed onto the afterlife, but if it weighed more, they were destroyed. These heart amulets would have been worn as protection for the beholder’s in death, used exclusively for mummies, to ensure a positive judgement. The amulet became so important that it was bestowed on every mummy until the end of the Pharaonic Period.
Measurements: (circa) L 2.1cm x W 1.5cm
Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection
Seller's Story
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
