Late Period, Dynasty XXV–XXX, ca. 712–332 BC.
A large oval cushion form faience amulet of exceptional size and presence for the type. The convex upper face is divided by two vertical and one horizontal raised black bands into six rectangular compartments, each containing three molded wedjat (Eye of Horus) eyes, for a total of eighteen protective eyes. The reverse is carved with the schematic contour of a squatting goddess in the birthing position, arms raised at either side, a rare iconographic combination documented in the published literature on this specific piece.
The replication of the wedjat, the "healed" eye of Horus, emblem of wholeness, protection, and regeneration, multiplies its apotropaic power, while the birthing figure on the reverse invokes protection for mother and child in the dangerous moments of parturition. The combination marks this as a specialized maternity/birth amulet of extraordinary rarity.
Multiple-wedjat amulets of this stylized Late Period form are well represented in major collections — the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, and the Petrie Museum all hold examples — but the overwhelming majority have plain, undecorated reverses. The presence of an incised figural image of a birthing goddess on the underside transforms the object from a standard protective amulet into a specialized maternity amulet, and is described in the 1991 NFA catalog as sufficiently unusual to merit special commentary; the cataloger located no direct parallels. The combination of substantial size, strong turquoise glaze, crisp molded detail, double publication pedigree (NFA 1991; Royal-Athena 1994), and the rarity of the figural reverse supports the characterization "rare and possibly unique."
Provenance Ex collection of Harry Wallace & Dale Black, NYC & New Paltz, New York.
Published:
Royal-Athena Galleries, New York, Art of the Ancient World, Vol. VIII, Part 1, no. 70, October 1994, cat. no. 105 (published and illustrated).
Numismatic Fine Arts (NFA) Classical Auctions, Inc., Scarabs and Design Amulets: A Glimpse of Ancient Egypt in Miniature, New York (Helmsley Palace Hotel, Versailles Ballroom), December 11, 1991, lot 294, illustrated in both color plate and black-and-white enlargement. Realized price: $2,000 (per annotated price-realized list)
Published Catalog Text (NFA, 1991, lot 294)
The NFA catalog describes the piece as a "Multiple Eye Amulet, Late Period, blue faience with black pigment, L. 46 mm; W. 40 mm; H. 17 mm," noting that the oval amulet "is divided into six sections, each containing three eyes. Like the multiple scarab amulet, the replication of images, in this instance, the 'healed' eye of Horus or wedjet eye, greatly increases its power. … While most amulets of this type have bases that are undecorated, the reverse of this example has the contour of a woman in the birthing position carved into the faience. As in all ancient cultures, the birth process was dangerous for both mother and child and would require potent amulets." The entry further cites parallels in Petrie, Amulets, pl. 25.
