Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Sacred Eye Udjat
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
The Udjat-eye (also called Horus-eye) was one of the most popular amulets in Ancient Egypt. The eye symbolizes legitimate kingship, it secures the life of the sun-god, and also of other deities, as well as human beings. In the Horus myth the eye was stolen from its legitimate owner Horus, by Seth, the god of the wild, powerful, and untamed nature. This violent act caused disorder in the universe, and the eye had to be brought back to reestablish order, and to heal in its place with Horus.
As an amulet the Udjat-eye should secure life in this world and in the afterlife, protect health, and promote healing. The standardized form of the amulet combines the human eye with the cheek marking of a falcon and the tear marking of a cheetah.
Besides the right Udjat-eye there is also a left version. While the right eye is connected with the sun, the left eye represents the moon. Most of the Udjat-eye amulets have a green-blue or red color; in this case different colors are combined to reflect the polychromy of life and nature.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1929, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1982 | 3000 Years of Glass: Treasures from The Walters Art Gallery. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1979-1980 | Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 11/20/1978 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 8/21/1998 | Examination | survey |
Geographies
Egypt (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 15/16 x W: 1 7/16 x D: 1/4 in. (2.33 x 3.63 x 0.63 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1929
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
47.265