Egyptian Gold Falcon Pendant

$726.63

An Egyptian gold miniature amuletic pendant depicting a falcon, modelled in the round. A small hole runs longitudinally through the body so that it could be suspended on a necklace. The falcon is strikingly realistic, with a streamlined and elongated body, and an extended tail. The wings are particularly detailed, with individual feathers visible in the rendering of the gold. The head is slightly oversized, and the beak appears shorter than it may have originally been.

Date: Circa 332 - 30 BC
Period: Ptolemaic Period
Provenance: Acquired on the French art market in the early 20th century.
Condition: Fine condition; some damage due to age.

SOLD

SKU: AS-1084 Category: Tags: ,

The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife.

Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. Small amulets depicting gods and goddesses seem to have induced the protective powers of the deity. On the other hand, small representations of anatomical features or creatures suggest that the wearer required protection over a specific body part, or that he/she desired the skills of a particular animal. Amulets depicting animals were very common in the Old Kingdom Period, whilst representations of deities gained popularity in the Middle Kingdom.

The eagle was an important symbol in Ancient Egypt, as it was often associated with Horus, one of the most significant Ancient Egyptian deities. Horus was commonly depicted with the head of a falcon and was a sky god, who looked after the sun and moon. They were said to be represented in each of his eyes, and thus the Eye of Horus, also known as ‘Wedjat’, was an ancient symbol of protection, particularly for the afterlife, as well as possessing the ability to deflect evil.

For the Egyptians, gold was the most precious of materials. Its colour signified divinity; it was the metal from which the flesh of the gods was formed; and the Book of the Dead demanded that all amulets be made from it. Egypt is a land rich in gold, and ancient miners used traditional methods to harbour the natural resource. The hieroglyph representing gold was founded in the First Dynasty, but the earliest surviving gold artefacts come from around the 4th Millennium BC.

To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.

Weight 1.0 g
Dimensions H 1.0 cm
Culture

Egyptian Mythology

Region

Country

Metal

Reference: See Baron Empain collection, Christies 14.4.11, lots 39-40 for similar examples.