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Collections / Ricerca / Egyptian Collection: New Kingdom

Udjat eye ring

The thin rod of this ring is opened in a bezel depicting the eye of the god Horus, well-defined over eyebrows, extended from the line in relief of cosmetic, with the roundish pupil and the tears that fall from the lower eyelid.

More info

The magical-protective value of the eye and its wide spread as an amulet originates from a mythical episode; in the fight between Seth and Horus for the conquest of power on earth, the eye, Set gouged out Horus's left eye. The ripped eye was then "made whole" (udjat) by the god Thoth. That's because the healed eye as an amulet has the magical function of ensuring '"integrity" and "completeness" of the wearer.

Provenance: Unknown provenance, Palagi Collection
Datation: 18th dynasty (1400 - 1292 a.C.)
Material: faïence
Dimensions: diam max cm 2,2; len. max cm 1,1
Inventory #: KS 460

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